Tigers Cruise Into Christmas Break With 88-67 Rout of Alabama State
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Dug McDaniel delivered one of the sharpest shooting performances of the season Monday night, pouring in 23 points to power Memphis to an 88-67 victory over Alabama State at FedExForum.
The win snapped a three-game skid for Memphis (5-7), which closed nonconference play on a high note heading into Christmas break and the start of league action. Playing its second game in three days, the Tigers delivered their most efficient offensive performance of the season.
Memphis set season highs with 13 made three-pointers and shot 50.8 percent from the floor (32 of 63), while finishing 13-of-30 from beyond the arc.
McDaniel tied a career high by connecting on seven shots from beyond the arc, finishing 7-of-12 from deep. He also added three assists and two steals as Memphis showcased its most complete offensive outing of the year.
Curtis Givens III chipped in 18 points off the bench, knocking down three triples, while Ashton Hardaway added 15 points to give the Tigers three double-figure scorers. Memphis assisted on 20 of its 32 made baskets and paired its offensive efficiency with a season-high 13 steals and five blocked shots.
The Tigers seized control early with a 9-0 run to open the game and carried a 42-33 lead into halftime behind 14 first-half points from McDaniel and 10 from Hardaway. Any lingering doubt was erased when Memphis opened the second half with an 8-0 burst, stretching the margin to as much as 23 points and forcing Alabama State to chase the game the rest of the way.
Alabama State (3-9), coached by former Memphis player and assistant Tony Madlock, stayed within striking distance early but could not keep pace after halftime. Asjon Anderson led the Hornets with 16 points, while former Tiger Damarien “Dink” Yates scored 12.
Memphis committed 18 turnovers, which led to 16 Alabama State points, but the Tigers’ shooting and defensive activity prevented any late suspense. Alabama State never got closer than 15 points in the second half.
POSTGAME NOTES
Starting Five: Memphis opened with a starting lineup of Dug McDaniel, Julius Thedford, Hasan Abdul Hakim, Ashton Hardaway and Thierno Sylla. It is just the third time this season, the first since Nov. 20-21, that the Tigers used the same starting five in back-to-back games. Shooting: Memphis shot a season high 50.8 percent (32-of-63) from the floor and 43.3 percent from three-point range. The Tigers shot 13-of-30 from long distance, their most three-pointers made in a game this season. The 13 threes are the most by Memphis since Nov. 15, 2024 when the Tigers hit 15 against Ohio. After attempting 31 from distance Saturday at Mississippi State, it’s the first time under Hardaway that the Tigers have shot 30-plus triples in consecutive outings.It’s only the eighth time overall in eight seasons Memphis has attempted 30 threes in a game. Turnovers: Memphis committed 18 turnovers, which Alabama State converted into 16 points. Defense: Memphis held Alabama State to 35.9 percent shooting (23-of-64) and forced 16 turnovers.The Tigers turned those miscues into 23 points, which matched their second-highest total this season. Memphis has now scored at least 20 points off turnovers in four games this season Bench Production: Memphis got 44 points from its bench. It marked the seventh game this season with 35+ bench points after the Tigers recorded just one such game over the previous three seasons combined.The 44 points match their second-highest bench output of the season. Rebounding: Memphis outrebounded Alabama State 40-37 and pulled down 15 offensive rebounds.The Tigers have now recorded nine or more offensive rebounds in 26 consecutive games, the longest active streak in Division I.Memphis scored 14 second-chance points.Ball Movement: Memphis dished out 20 assists while committing 18 turnovers, its second-most helpers of the season. The Tigers had 21 assists against New Orleans.
Dug McDaniel scored a game-high 23 points and tied his career high with seven triples.His seven threes are tied for the fifth-most in a game in program history. Tyrese Hunter knocked down seven treys twice last season against UConn and Clemson.McDaniel also added three assists and two steals in 31 minutes.It’s his 12th-career game with 20-plus points.Curtis Givens III recorded his second consecutive 18-point outing after returning from a five-game absence on Saturday.He was 7-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-6 from distance. Ashton Hardaway finished with 15 points, a career-high tying seven rebounds, three assists and a career-high five steals.After putting up 11 points at Mississippi State on Saturday, it marks the first time Hardaway has recorded consecutive outings with double-digit points.Hardaway is only the fifth player in Division I this season to have at least 15 points, seven rebounds, five steals, three assists and one block in a game, but only the second to put up those numbers in less than 30 minutes (Arterio Morris, Bethune-Cookman). Julius Thedford scored six points and pulled down a career high 10 rebounds.Seven of his boards were on the offensive end.It marks just the 10th time a Tiger has had seven or more offensive rebounds in the Penny Hardaway era. Moussa Cisse did it twice last season and Dain Dainja did it once. Tariq Ingraham recorded six points and six rebounds, while Aaron Bradshaw totaled five points and five boards. Zach Davis, after not playing in the first 20 minutes, scored nine points with two rebounds and two assists in the second half.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will pause for the holiday break before resuming play Dec. 31, when they open American Conference action by hosting North Texas at 3 p.m. on ESPN2 at FedExForum.