Memphis avoids extending losing streak, beat UCF 59-57 (AP Story)

Memphis UCF
Photo credit USA Today/Ford

Memphis avoided extending their losing streak by beating UCF 59-57 Wednesday night.

Lance Thomas put the Memphis Tigers on his back leading with 20 points as Memphis held on to beat UCF 59-57 in a difficult conference matchup.

Final: Memphis 59, UCF 57.Wasn’t pretty, but certainly some encouraging developments. Lance Thomas has a career high 20 points, and Boogie Ellis is starting to look like the guy Memphis thought it was getting when he signed.

— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) January 30, 2020

Penny Hardaway: “Thank God for this “W”

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) January 30, 2020

With the win Memphis stays on the NCAA Tournament bubble (last 4 in according to a few prognosticators Wednesday). 

What's good news for Memphis is they received not only a new contribution from Lance Thomas, but also another solid 13-point outing from Boogie Ellis. Precious Achiuwa scored 18. 

Here's more from the AP:

Thomas scores 20, Memphis edges UCF 59-57

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Lance Thomas scored a career-high 20 points and Memphis held off UCF 59-57 on Wednesday night.

Thomas was 8-of-11 shooting, including four 3-pointers, two in the final 3-minutes, each giving the Tigers a five-point lead. 

Ceasar DeJesus made a jumper for UCF with 56 seconds to go but Precious Achiuwa matched that with 20 seconds to play, restoring the five-point lead until DeJesus nailed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

Neither team led by more than six points and there were five ties and 16 lead changes.

Achiuwa had 18 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks for Memphis (15-5, 4-3 American Athletic Conference). Boogie Ellis added 13 points. 

Collin Smith scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Knights (11-9, 2-6) and DeJesus added 13 points. Darin Green Jr. had 11 points.

----

Full Analysis beginning at 9AM Thursday on 92.9 FM ESPN/Next Game: Sat. vs. UCONN on CBS