Writer - Ernie Casanova
ORLANDO, Fla. - Memphis got off to a very fast start against the Bearcats Saturday. Tigers starting guard Jamal Johnson had the hot hand early. After draining the first bucket of the game with a three pointer, Johnson again sunk in another triple to put Memphis up 6-0.
Shortly after, things died down a bit as Memphis starting guard Jimario Rivers fell hard on his head and had to be helped off the floor. After play resumed, Cincinnati forward Kyle Washington scored a contested layup to put the Bearcats on the board and after two missed free throws from Memphis, guard Jarron Cumberland scored the next points for them. It was now 9-4 as Cincinnati started to march back with a quick run to cut the deficit.
After a few physical possessions and much back and forth, both teams started set their tempo. Memphis kept looking for the three-pointers while Cincinnati was imposing their will in the paint. The Tigers were nailing three-pointers left and right, shooting 50% from beyond the arc in the first half.
Memphis’s Jamal Johnson shot 100% from the field, with four of his five shots coming from downtown as he led the team at the half with 17 points. For the Bearcats, forward Gary Clark leads the team with nine points and five rebounds. At the end of the half, Memphis leads Cincinnati 42-29.
Shortly after, things died down a bit as Memphis starting guard Jimario Rivers fell hard on his head and had to be helped off the floor. After play resumed, Cincinnati forward Kyle Washington scored a contested layup to put the Bearcats on the board and after two missed free throws from Memphis, guard Jarron Cumberland scored the next points for them. It was now 9-4 as Cincinnati started to march back with a quick run to cut the deficit.
After a few physical possessions and much back and forth, both teams started set their tempo. Memphis kept looking for the three-pointers while Cincinnati was imposing their will in the paint. The Tigers were nailing three-pointers left and right, shooting 50% from beyond the arc in the first half.
Memphis’s Jamal Johnson shot 100% from the field, with four of his five shots coming from downtown as he led the team at the half with 17 points. For the Bearcats, forward Gary Clark leads the team with nine points and five rebounds. At the end of the half, Memphis leads Cincinnati 42-29.