Just Now Memphis was forced to play the foul game, Head coach Penny Hardaway tried out a different starting lineup that saw Johnathan Pierre starting and Jahvon Quinerly on the bench

WMC – Memphis, Tennessee The Memphis Tigers fell 74-71 at home against the Rice Owls, extending their losing run to four games.

Memphis drops to 4-4 in the American Athletic Conference and 15-6 overall on the year after the defeat.

“It’s disappointing,” Coach Hardaway expressed. “I have no idea what’s happening. I’m not sure if folks are want more highlight plays or social media. In any case, I’m responsible.

Malcolm Dandridge scored 14 points, had two blocks, and two steals in response to David Jones’ 18 points, which lead the Tigers.

Keanu Dawes scored 15 points for the Owls, while Mekhi Mason led Rice with 17 points. Travis Evee and Anthony Selden each finished with 14 points.

Eleven minutes into the game, the Tigers had surpassed the 10-point threshold, making it maybe Memphis’ worst start of the season.

In an experiment, head coach Penny Hardaway started Jonathan Pierre in the front and Jahvon Quinerly at the back.

The Tigers failed to make a single three-pointer in the first half as Memphis labored mightily from the field and the three-point line.

At the break, Rice led 33–22 after making five three-pointers in the first half.

Memphis’s point total in the first half of the season is 22.

“Defense was still on our minds. It is our greatest shortcoming. “We wanted to concentrate on defense even though we knew we could shoot the ball more,” stated Jahvon Quinerly.

In the second half, the Tigers rallied several times to cut the margin to four points.

Later in the half, Memphis made their first three-pointers of the game, including David Jones’ game-winning three to give them the lead for the first time.

With less than a minute remaining in the game, Travis Evee made back-to-back three-pointers to give Rice a slim advantage.

Jahvon Quinerly tried a fast three-pointer on the very next possession, leaving many puzzled and forcing Memphis to play the foul game.

With three seconds remaining, Nae’Qwan Tomlin gave Memphis one more shot after a failed free throw. His half-court heave went off the front of the rim.

“My hope is that this losing streak will strengthen us,” Jahvon Quinerly remarked. “I understand that coach Hardaway bears a lot of the load, but I also have some to bear as the point guard. Nothing happens on bus.

In a conference rematch with Wichita State on Saturday, Memphis will try to end their losing run and resume winning ways.