Jones’ Double-Double Leads Tigers Past Alabama State
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Tigers took care of business Friday night at FedExForum, defeating Alabama State 92-75 behind David Jones' 22-point, 10-rebound effort.
Jones recorded his second-straight double-double to lead four Tigers in double figures. Jahvon Quinerly posted another big game with 16 points, eight rebounds and a team-high four assists, while Jaykwon Walton poured in 12 points, seven boards, three dimes and two blocks.
Caleb Mills earned his first start in a Memphis uniform and turned in 10 points and three assists.
Memphis shot 52.5 percent from the floor (32-61) and led by as many as 22 with less than two minutes remaining in the game.
The Tigers jumped out to a 24-12 lead eight minutes into the night on a three ball from Mills. They hit nine of their first 12 shots, but Alabama State (1-3) managed to hold on and cut its deficit to one. Jones, however, caught fire with 13 points in the final five minutes of the half, including three triples, to send Memphis into the locker room with a 47-36 advantage.
The Tigers shot 47.1 percent in the final 20 minutes and never let the Hornets get any closer than five points before pulling away.
Alabama State was led by CJ Hines’ 19 points and TJ Madlock’s 16.
POSTGAME NOTES
Memphis used the starting lineup of Jahvon Quinerly, Jaykwon Walton, Caleb Mills, David Jones and Jordan Brown. The Tigers connected on a season-high 11 three-pointers and drained 17-of-23 at the free throw line. Memphis improved to 302-53 all-time at FedExForum, including 71-11 under Penny Hardaway. Jones grabbed consecutive double-doubles for only the second time in his career. His last time was in February of 2022 against Georgetown and Providence. Jones shot 7-of-12 overall and now has 14 double-doubles for his career. Brown added eight points and six rebounds in his first start as a Tiger, while drawing nine fouls from ASU. Jayden Hardaway and Ashton Hardaway each contributed six points. It’s the first-career points for the younger Hardaway. Memphis outscored ASU 40-22 in the paint and won the battle on the boards, 50-42. The Tigers improved to 104-10 since 2010-11 when holding their opponent to 36.0 percent shooting or less. ASU connected on 31.4 percent Friday, hitting 27-of-86 shots.
UP NEXT
Memphis will head to the Bahamas for Feast Week to participate in the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Tigers will open play Wednesday against Michigan at 4 p.m. CT and then will face either Arkansas or Stanford on Thursday.