MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Freshman Emoni Bates scored 15 points and Landers Nolley added 12 to help No. 12 Memphis defeat North Carolina Central 90-51 on Saturday night.
Jalen Duren and Lester Quinones added 10 points each. Duren also had 10 rebounds for the Tigers (2-0), who have won both of their first two games in dominating fashion.
Eric Boone had 11 points to lead the Eagles (0-2), who shot 26.2% and were 3 of 25 from 3-point range — missing all 14 of their 15 long-range shots in the second half. N.C. Central committed 26 turnovers.
Similar to the Tigers’ opening win against Tennessee Tech, Memphis controlled the pace and its defense pestered the Eagles up and down the court.
Memphis did have a problem with ballhandling in the first half, fumbling away passes and slowing momentum. Part of that was because North Carolina Central went to a zone defense. But Memphis led throughout the half, the advantage stretching to as many as 22 points.
Memphis would continue adding into the lead in the second half, with defense creating turnovers. The Tigers outscored North Carolina Central 38-10 to start the second half.
BIG PICTURE
North Carolina Central: The Eagles may have given Richmond some concern Tuesday before the Spiders claimed a 70-60 victory, but they never really threatened Memphis. The Eagles’ zone defense did cause some issues for the Tiger offense in the first half, allowing a Eagle rally before the break, cutting the lead to 38-23.
Memphis: While there was some sloppy play that would have been an issue with a better team, Memphis’ talent overcame the problems.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Memphis’ No. 12 ranking should at least hold into the next poll, and there were not any major losses from the teams in the top 11 slots to result in a major shuffle.
UP NEXT
North Carolina Central: At Iowa on Tuesday night.
Memphis: Host Saint Louis on Tuesday night.
From the University of Memphis... Postgame notes
No. 12/16 Tigers Romp North Carolina Central
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The No. 12/16 Memphis Tigers turned a 15-point halftime lead into an advantage as big as 49 late in the second half en route to a 90-51 win over North Carolina Central Saturday night at FedExForum.
Memphis (2-0) was led by Emoni Bates’ 15 points, and Jalen Duren added a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Duren was held scoreless and had three rebounds in the first half. Josh Minott contributed nine points and nine rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench, and Tyler Harris buried 11 points in just eight minutes as a reserve.
Landers Nolley II and Lester Quinones were also in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Earl Timberlake turned in a well-rounded stat line of six points, six assists, five rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot in 19 minutes of action.
After leading 38-23 at the break, Memphis scored the first 10 points of the second half and 15 of the first 17 to take a 53-25 lead. The Tigers limited North Carolina Central (0-2) to 26.2 percent shooting in the game (17-65) and 12.0 percent from 3-point range (3-25).
The Tigers went 31-of-47 from the free throw line, which was their third-most attempts from the charity stripe since 2010-11 and most in eight seasons.
North Carolina Central was paced by Eric Boone’s 13 points.
UP NEXT
Memphis welcomes Saint Louis to FedExForum Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Western Kentucky Friday at 7 p.m., before venturing to the NIT Season Tip-Off in Brooklyn, N.Y., the week of Thanksgiving.
Tickets for 2021-22 are available online at www.GoTigersGoTix.com or by phone at (901) 678-2331.
POSTGAME NOTES
Memphis used the starting lineup of Alex Lomax, Emoni Bates, Jayden Hardaway, DeAndre Williams and Jalen Duren for the first time this season.It was Hardaway’s first start in the last 14 games, since Jan. 28, 2021 at SMU.Memphis has now won both meetings all-time with North Carolina Central.The 47 free throws attempted by Memphis were its most in a game since getting to the line 50 times against Nicholls State on Nov. 23, 2013.Memphis saw 51 of its 90 points come from the bench.The Tigers had 12 steals and 13 blocked shots in the game.Memphis has been in double digits in both categories in both games this season.Bates has led the Tigers in scoring in both games this season.Tyler Harris made two 3-pointers in the game, giving him 141 for his Memphis career.He is now two away from tying Elliot Perry (1987-91) for 10th all time in a Tiger career.
