Memphis secured a hard-fought 55-53 win over Temple at the FedExForum, with Curtis Givens III's 12 points paving the way for the Tigers. The narrow margin of victory was a reflection of the closely contested nature of the game, which saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm on offense. Memphis took a 29-22 lead into halftime, but Temple's Gavin Griffiths caught fire in the second half, scoring 10 of his 15 points to keep the Owls within striking distance.
Griffiths' impressive performance, which also included 6 rebounds, was not enough to overcome the balanced attack of the Tigers. Sincere Parker chipped in with 10 points and 5 rebounds, while Zach Davis added 6 points to help Memphis maintain its advantage. The Tigers' defense was also instrumental in the win, holding Temple to just 22 points in the first half and limiting the Owls' offense to 53 points for the game.
The game was marked by a series of runs, with Memphis using a 10-2 spurt in the first half to build its lead. Temple responded with a 12-4 run of its own in the second half, but the Tigers were able to hold on late. The Owls had several chances to take the lead in the final minutes, but Memphis' defense came up big, forcing turnovers and limiting Temple's scoring opportunities.
The win was a significant one for Memphis, as it marked a Quadrant 3 victory for the Tigers. With a current net ranking of 120, Memphis is still looking to bolster its resume for potential tournament consideration. The loss, on the other hand, was a Quadrant 2 defeat for Temple, which could have used a win over a team like Memphis to strengthen its own tournament chances. The Owls, currently ranked 155 in the net rankings, must regroup and refocus as they continue their season.
In the end, Memphis' ability to hold off Temple's late surge and secure the 55-53 win was a reflection of the Tigers' resilience and determination. With the victory, Memphis improves to 9-10 on the season, while Temple falls to 13-7. As the season wears on, both teams want to build on this performance and make a push for the postseason. For Memphis, the win is a crucial addition to its resume, one that could pay dividends when tournament selection time arrives.