Tigers hold off Huskies

Thursday The University of Memphis Tigers play host to the reigning NCAA champion UConn Huskies. Uconn swept the three games series between the two teams last season. This time Memphis barely escapes with a 75-72 victory. After being down by 15 the Huskies come back to loose by only three points.

Austin Nichols returns after being out since Feb 7th with a sprained ankle. Questionable if he was ready for return, he silenced the critics early in the game. Finishes first half with 13 points and two blocks. Nichols finishes the game with 16 points and seven blocks. Kedran Johnson, who normally averages 5 points per game, already had 7 points at the eight minute mark in the first half. Finishes the first half with 12 points. Johnson finishes the game with 21 points and six assists. The Tigers only had two other players in double figures. Markel Cawford scored 14 points and Avery Woodson scored 11. Shaq Goodwin was just shy of double digit scoring with eight points.

With 10:15 remaining in the first half, there is a skirmish. Ryan Boatright from Uconn ends up with a bloody lip from and elbow from his own teammate. No fouls were assessed. Boatright comes back in the game and gets active on both end of the floor. He knocks down a three and deflects the ball on the defensive end. However, Boatright finished the game with only seven points shooting two of six from the field.

The same defense that held Boatright to seven points, forced ten UConn turnovers.

The Tigers next game is Sun Feb 22 against the University of Central florida Knights.