The Memphis Tigers basketball team lost to Auburn in what many speculated was a desperately "needed" win for Memphis given their week conference schedule, combined with the limited non-conference opportunities they squandered in losses to VCU and Western Kentucky earlier in the season in South Dakota. Final: Auburn 74 Memphis 71
Memphis couldn't stop Auburn sharp-shooting freshman Justin Powell who scored 26 points making 4 of 6 from the 3-point arc while pulling down 8 rebounds.
From Memphis PR:
Memphis Basketball falls to Auburn 74-71 at Pit Boss Grills Holiday Hoopsgiving
ATLANTA – The Memphis Tigers had their three-game winning streak snapped Saturday with a 74-71 loss to Auburn at the Pit Boss Grills Holiday Hoopsgiving inside State Farm Arena. The loss also snapped a 12-game winning streak in the month of December.
Memphis led for 59 percent of the game and controlled the first half after a hot start that included a 5-of-9 effort to start the game from long range. Memphis led 63-62 with 4:11 remaining, but Auburn took the lead for good with an 8-2 run over the next 2:13.
Protecting the glass
For the second straight game, Memphis dominated the offensive glass. The team collected a season-high 24 offensive rebounds after grabbing 22 in Tuesday’s win over Mississippi Valley State. Today marks the highest number of offensive rebounds for Memphis since the team recorded 24 against UCF on Jan. 17, 2015.
Moussa on the boards
After being named AAC Preseason Rookie of the Year, freshman Moussa Cisse has dominated the glass early in his collegiate career. Tonight, Cisse grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive glass, and was a point shy of recording his third double-double in four games. Over his last four games, the Lausanne alum is averaging 11.8 rebounds per game and entered the evening leading the American Athletic Conference in total rebounds.
D.J. fills up the stat sheet
Sophomore D.J. Jeffries filled up the box score yet again for Memphis, posting 16 points, seven rebounds, his third straight game with three steals and dishing two assists. Over his last three games, Jeffries is averaging 17.3 rebounds, 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 2.7 assists and 1.0 blocks per game.
