MEMPHIS – The University of New Orleans (0-3) came out with a fire in the second half and cut what was once a 17-point deficit to eight but the short-handed Privateers could not overcome a slow start, falling to the University of Memphis (2-1), 63-52, Tuesday evening at FedEx Forum.
The stats were close with the clubs both struggling from three-point range. New Orleans held the steals edge 9-to-6.
Makur Puou reached double figures for the second consecutive contest with 11 points and finished a rebound shy of a double-double.
Michael Zeno,
Travin Thibodeaux and
Matthew Jiles each scored eight points.
FIRST HALF
A sloppy first half and foul trouble allowed Memphis to take a 32-16 lead into the locker room. Thibodeaux led the club with six points and a blocked shot and Puou added five points and five rebounds.
Ezekiel Charles and
Tyren Harrison each swatted a shot as well.
The Privateers shot 26.1 percent from the floor while the Tigers were 12-of-29, led by Jimario Rivers' 12 points and six boards.
SECOND HALF
Zeno scored the half's opening four points and Thibodeaux came up with a steal to make it a 12-point ballgame. After a Memphis basket, a hook by
Thibs again made it a 12-point contest.
Bryson Robinson's mid-range jumper and moments later, triple, cut it the Memphis lead to 10 with 12:29 remaining and
Diontae Champion came up with his second steal of the game.
Coming out of the under-12 media, Zeno came up with a steal and hit both free throws put the Privateers within eight. The UNO defense held the Tigers scoreless for over three minutes, scoring seven points during the run (13:36-10:06).
Zeno's second steal of the half led to a
Damion Rosser layup with 4:11 left to play as New Orleans looked for one final run.
Memphis improved to 2-1 on the year with the 63-52 victory over the visiting Blue and Silver.
NOTES: Jiles made the first start of his four-year career at UNO and finished with a career-high eight points… Champion set a new season-high with seven points… three Tigers reached double figures, led by Rivers' 18 points and seven rebounds.
NEXT UP
The home opener is this Friday at 2 p.m. versus Spring Hill College, followed by a 3:05 p.m. tilt at the University of South Alabama Sunday.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@PrivateersMBB on Twitter,
@PrivateersMBB on Instagram, like
/PrivateersMBB on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
