In their season opener for the 2024-2025 college basketball season, the Memphis Tigers secured an 83-75 victory over the Missouri Tigers, marking their second straight win over Missouri. The game featured a resilient Memphis team overcoming early struggles and an 11-point deficit in the second half to pull off an impressive comeback.
A Sluggish Start
The game began with Memphis struggling to find their rhythm. Coming off two exhibition losses to North Carolina and Alabama, the Tigers seemed to bring some of that inconsistency into their matchup with Missouri. The starting lineup of Tyrese Hunter, PJ Haggerty, Coby Rogers, Dain Dainja, and Nicholas Jourdain couldn’t quite click in the first half, with turnovers and poor shot selection plaguing their offensive efforts. This lack of cohesion allowed Missouri to capitalize, keeping Memphis on the back foot and building a lead that had Memphis trailing 42-32 at halftime.
Adding to the challenges, Memphis had to contend with the unexpected departure of forward Tyreek Smith, who entered the transfer portal just before the game. This loss disrupted the roster and likely impacted the team’s early chemistry.
Second-Half Turnaround
Missouri appeared poised to extend their lead in the second half, pulling ahead by 11 points with just over 12 minutes left. However, Memphis shifted gears, sparking a defensive intensity that Missouri couldn’t match. The Tigers applied pressure, forcing Missouri into a scoring drought that would prove pivotal. Memphis chipped away at Missouri’s lead, ultimately taking a 56-55 advantage with 10:23 remaining, a lead they would not relinquish.
Memphis found their groove on the offensive end with their defense locking down Missouri’s offense. They went on an 11-0 run, a decisive stretch that propelled them to victory. This shift in momentum was driven largely by guard PJ Haggerty, who demonstrated his scoring ability by leading all Memphis scorers with 25 points, 22 of which came in the second half. Haggerty’s performance was crucial, as he provided points and set the tone for Memphis’ comeback.
Teammates Tyrese Hunter and Colby Rogers were also instrumental, combining for 24 points. Meanwhile, center Moussa Cisse contributed significantly off the bench. In addition to scoring 14 points, he secured seven rebounds and blocked two shots, providing much-needed support in the paint. His defensive presence and energy were key factors in Memphis’ second-half dominance.
Key Takeaways
- Poor Shooting Night Beyond the Arc: Memphis struggled with their three-point shooting, hitting only eight of their 20 attempts. While their overall performance from beyond the arc was subpar, they connected on a few crucial three-pointers down the stretch, which helped them maintain their lead in the final minutes.
- Turnovers Continue to Be a Concern: Memphis committed 16 turnovers, an area they’ll need to tighten up as the season progresses. Sloppy ball-handling and forced passes contributed to their first-half struggles, and they’ll need to focus on reducing these errors to avoid giving opponents easy scoring opportunities.
- Moussa Cisse’s Impact Off the Bench: Cisse was essential to Memphis’ second-half rally. His seven rebounds and two blocked shots made a difference in the paint, while his 14 points off the bench provided valuable scoring depth. His presence as a defensive anchor could become a cornerstone for Memphis throughout the season.
What Lies Ahead?
With their season opener behind them, Memphis heads to Las Vegas to take on their next non-conference opponent, the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels. While the victory over Missouri is encouraging, Memphis must refine its approach, especially regarding turnovers and consistency from the three-point line. As they prepare for UNLV, Memphis will aim to build on the positives from this game, particularly their defensive intensity and the strong performances from key players like Haggerty and Cisse.
In a hard-fought contest that tested their resilience, the Tigers showed grit and adaptability, qualities they’ll need in abundance as they face the season’s challenges.
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