In a season that appears to have gone completely off the rails, the Memphis Tigers lost for the sixth time in eight games Saturday. This time it was to the lowly Tulane Green Wave, a 94-87 overtime loss at Fogelman Arena Saturday.
The Green Wave (10-16, 3-10 American Athletic Conference), had failed to win at home in AAC play in its last 12 games dating back to last season, got its revenge after falling to Memphis (14-11, 5-7 AAC) 77-65 at FedExForum in December.
Freshman forward Dedric Lawson, who’s shown he’s back to his best lately, had another outstanding game for Memphis, in the loss, scoring 25 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. Senior forward Shaq Goodwin recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, but his most memorable moment from this game will be for picking up a technical foul on a dunk which saw him hang on the rim too long in the first half.
Point guard Ricky Tarrant Jr., who’s had his struggles of late, scored 19 points and dished out four assists in the loss against his former school. Although due to injury, he did not play in the overtime after failing to convert a three-point shot to earn Memphis the win in regulation.
However, the Tigers’ defense, which at one point was 24th in the nation in defensive efficiency, continued to show signs of one that has gotten worse over the season. Tulane, which came into the contest averaging a little more than 65 points per game, shot 47 percent from the field, 11-25 (44 percent) from three-point range and went to the free throw line 33 times converting 23 of them.
Green Wave sophomore forward Dylan Osetkowski and senior guard Malik Morgan combined for 46 of Tulane’s 94 points. Well above the duo’s combined average of 22.6 points per game.
The Tigers, who lost both games on their road trip to Houston and now Tulane, return to the Bluff City as they host the University of Central Florida 6 p.m. Wednesday at FedExForum. The game will be shown on ESPNU.
