Tulane University
12-22
Memphis
19-14
MBB: Tulane falls to Memphis in semifinals, 74-54
Mar 12, 2016 | Men's Basketball
ORLANDO – The Tulane men's basketball team fell in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament, 74-54, to the Memphis Tigers at the Amway Center Saturday evening. Tulane was led by senior Louis Dabney and freshman Melvin Frazier, who each scored eight points. Dedric Lawson led five Memphis players in double figures with 17 points on the night.
Memphis (19-14) controlled the game nearly the entire night. Play began close to start the game but the effect of junior Ryan Smith and freshman Blake Paul each picking up two fouls before the first media timeout quickly disrupted any rhythm Tulane (12-22) had. A 13-2 run for the Tigers just inside the midway point in the first half gave them their first double-digit lead of the night.
Tulane was able to get it back within single digits at the break, trailing 31-22, and held the rebounding advantage 22-18.
Memphis opened the second half scoring six straight points before redshirt junior Malik Morgan broke things up. A steady push on the offensive end by the Tigers and a lull in production for Tulane kept things in Memphis' favor. Another 13-point scoring streak gave Memphis its largest lead of the night at 64-39 with 7:21 left in the game.
Entering the semifinal matchup Tulane had limited itself to single-digit turnovers in six of the last seven games. The Green Wave were unable to keep that trend, as they finished with 18 on the night, which resulted in 31 points for the Tigers.
Dabney finished his Tulane career having played in more games than any other player in program history and sits at ninth on the school's all-time scoring list.
