Memphis Wins American Men’s Basketball Championship

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (March 12, 2023) Kendric Davis scored 31 points, including 14 in a big run before halftime, and second-seeded Memphis held on to beat No. 1 Houston 75-65 in the American Athletic Conference tournament championship game Sunday.

 

DeAndre Williams had 16 points and 13 rebounds for coach Penny Hardaway and the Tigers (26-8), who got the league’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid. They are going to March Madness for the second year in a row.

 

The Cougars (31-3) beat Memphis 71-53 in last year’s AAC tournament championship game, and won both regular-season matchups this season.

 

J’Wan Roberts had 12 points and 20 rebounds for Houston. Jamal Shead had 15 points on 3-of-14 shooting, and Jarace Walker had 13 points before fouling out.

 

The Cougars trailed by 18 at halftime, but got within 55-50 with 11:03 left after Shead scored eight points in a row for them in a two-minute span. His 3-pointer capped a 12-1 run, and he made another long-range shot before two free throws, but that was the closest Houston would get.

 

Memphis had taken control with a 16-2 run in the first half. Davis had all but two of those points and made two 3-pointers only 9 seconds apart.

 

That big spurt started on a fast-break layup by Davis with just under eight minutes left. Davis made a 3, and then Alex Lomax made a backcourt steal and passed to Davis at the top of the key for another 3. By time Davis made another fast-break layup with 3:36 left, the Tigers had doubled up Houston, 40-20.

 

Houston was selected as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region and will open the NCAA Tournament against No. 16 seed Northern Kentucky (22-12) in Birmingham, Ala., on Thursday, March 16 at 9:20 p.m. ET/8:20 p.m. CT on TNT. The Cougars are the first squad from The American to earn a No. 1 seed.

 

Memphis will be headed to Columbus, Ohio as the No. 8 seed in the East Region and will take on ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic (31-3) on Friday, March 17 at 9:20 p.m. ET/8:20 p.m. CT on TNT.

Houston Cougars fall to Memphis Tigers 48-44 in hard-fought contest

Houston WR Linner Bonner (15) tries to pull away
from Memphis DB Jonathan Cook (14) after catching
one of his 17 passes against Memphis.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE (November 25, 2016) Bringing a number 18 national ranking and the winningest senior class in program history into Libertly Bowl Memorial Stadium was not enough for the Houston Cougars, as they dropped a 48-44 decision to the underdog Memphis Tigers on Friday, November 25, 2016. The Cougars finish the regular season with a 9-3 record; along with a 5-3 record in American Athletic Conference action. The Cougars will now wait for two crucial bits of information in the days to follow. First, what post-season bowl game they will be invited to play and second, whether head coach Tom Herman will be back at the helm of the Cougars for that anticipated bowl and the 2017 season.

Rumors circulated in the preceding days and hours leading up to Friday's matchup against these two conference rivals. Unconfirmed reports surfaced on the internet and social media that Herman and LSU had come to terms on a contract for the second-year head coach to lead the Tigers in 2017. Herman vigorously denounced the rumors, yet the spectre of his departure was a possibly a factor in the Cougars' loss. The Cougars' play of the field seemed uninspired in the first half and was a drastic departure from their play when they upset No. 3 Louisville on November 17. 

RB Duke Catalon (2) rushed for 60 yards and
one touchdown in addition to catching seven
passes for 41 yards against Memphis.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

The game started with a bang for the Tigers; when they scored 42 seconds into the game on a 67-yard pass from Riley Ferguson to Phil Mayhue. Houston answered three minutes later with a 41-yard Ty Cummings field goal. Memphis added two more TDs in the first quarter; a one-yard run by Doroland Dorceus and a two-yard pass from Ferguson to Mayhue. In between the two Memphis touchdown, Houston added a touchdown on a 10-yard run by Duke Catalon to close out the first 15 minutes of play with Memphis leading 21-10. The Cougars cut the Memphis lead to four points, six seconds into the second quarter with a Greg Ward, Jr. 29-yard pass to Tyler McCloskey. The Tigers responded with 13 unanswered points to give Memphis a 34-17 lead at halftime. Houston cut their deficit to seven in the third quarter with a Chance Allen 35-yard touchdown pass reception and a 25-yard Ty Cummings field goal. After a long drive that carried over from the third to fourth quarter, Houston added a 25-yard field goal by Cummings to cut the Tigers' lead to 34-30 with 13:07 remaining in the game. They finally took their first lead of the game at the 7:02 mark in the fourth quarter when Ward, Jr. hit Linell Donner with a 55-yard bomb for the score. Cummings added the extra point to give Houston a 37-34 lead. Then both teams went on a offensive frenzy; putting 21 points on the scoreboard in three minutes, 30 seconds.

Memphis responded to the Donner touchdown with their own touchdown to regain the lead a tad over three minutes later. Ferguson connected with Anthony Miller on a 35-yard pass play to regain a four-point lead (41-37). Houston received the the kickoff with 3:49 left in the game; driving 75 yards in seven plays; concluding with a three-yard touchdown pass from Ward, Jr. to Allen to regain the lead with the score of 44-41. The Tigers received the final kickoff of the game on their own 28 yard line with 1:29 remaining. Ferguson then went to work and moved the ball 72 yards in 1:05; scoring the game winning touchdown with 19 seconds left in the match. After that, all Houston could was run three play before time ran out.

Houston fans were very spirited at
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

Offensively, Houston tallied 624 yards of total offense, with Ward, Jr. accounting for 487 yards of those yards in the air. With four passing touchdowns, he has 52 career passing touchdowns which stands fifth in program history. Ward also recorded his seventh multi-TD passing game of 2016 and 16th of his career. 

Linell Bonner recorded his third touchdown reception this season and eighth of his career, on a 55-yard pass from Ward Jr. with 7:02 left to play giving Houston its first lead, 37-34. With 235 yards, Bonner finished his sixth game with at least 80-plus yards and became the 20th player in program history with a 200-yard receiving game. The mark also put him over the 1,000 yard threshold for the season, becoming the 19th player in Houston history to reach that mark.

No. 16 Houston Cougars remain unbeaten with 35-34 win over No. 25 Memphis Tigers

Kenneth Farrow (35) added two touchdowns to
his season total with runs of seven and
ten yards in Houston's win over Memphis.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loco Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 14, 2015) With a one-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Kyle Postma and an extra point by Ty Cummings with 1:27 remaining in the game, the No. 16 Houston Cougars remained unbeaten and downed the No. 25 Memphis Tigers by the score of 35-24 at TDECU Stadium in Houston on Saturday, November 14, 2015. The victory was the tenth of the season for the Cougars and first year head coach Tom Herman. With the win, the Cougars remain at the top of the American Athletic Conference West Division tied with Navy with 6-0 records.

The Tigers drew blood first at the 10:32 mark in the first quarter when the Houston defense stalled a 49-yard Memphis drive as they had to settle for a field goal. Jake Elliott’s kick gave the Tigers an early 3-0 lead. They added seven additional points 1:06 into the second quarter on a 38-yard pass from Paxton Lynch to Alan Cross to cap an eleven-play drive. Elliott added the kicking conversion to increase the Tigers’ lead to 10-0. Elliott added three additional point to the Tigers’ total with a 29-yard field goal at the 8:46 mark in the second quarter. Memphis added another touchdown and extra point with 1:52 remaining in the first half with a 61-yard pass from Lynch to Doroland Dorceus and another extra point by Elliott. Houston responded 75 seconds later with a touchdown and extra point of their own on a pass from Postma to Linell Bonner and a Cummings kicking conversion. The Cougar score closed out the first half with Memphis leading 20-7.

Jadeveon Clowney, Cecil Shorts, Alfred Blue and J.J. Watt
were on the sidelines at TDECU Stadium to view the
action between Houston and Memphis.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loco Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

Houston came out after halftime, taking possession of the ball in the second half and quickly scored on a seven-yard carry into the end zone by Kenneth Farrow and another kicking extra point by Cummings. Memphis came back four minutes later to add seven points to their total for the evening on a six-yard run by Dorceus and another Elliott extra point. With the final fifteen minutes to play in the game, Memphis held a 27-14 lead. Nine seconds into the fourth quarter, the Tigers capped a 12-play, 68-yard drive with a 25-yard run by Tevin Jones to take a 34-14 lead.

At that point, the game was all Houston as the Cougars ripped of 21 consecutive points to secure the win. Farrow carried the ball the final 10 yards of a 75-yard drive with 12:56 remaining in the game to cut the Tiger lead to 13. They scored again seven minutes later on a one-yard run by Javin Webb. Postma closed out the 21-point scoring run with the seven-yard quarterback keeper touchdown Cummings added the kicking extra points on the final three touchdowns.

Before leaving the game with an injury, starting quarterback Greg Ward, Jr. was 5-of-11 for 60 yards. Postma, who came into the game with 1:21 left in the second quarter completed 21-of-33 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown. He also carried the ball six times for 49 yard and one touchdown, including a 22-yard romp on a second and ten play in the fourth quarter. The 34 points by Memphis was the most allowed by the Houston defense this season.

With two regular season games remaining, the Cougars will next hit the road for a November 21 matchup against UConn. They will return to TDECU Stadium on November 27 for their final regular season game against No. 25 Navy. The Midshipmen are currently 6-0 in conference play with a 55-14 win over the SMU Mustangs on Saturday, November 14. They will next play the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Saturday, November 21.

Houston downs Memphis; 6-3 on two-run homer by Ashford Fulmer

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 29, 2014) The Houston Cougars scored three runs in the third inning to tie the game and three more late in the game to down the Memphis Tigers by the score of 6-3 in the second game of their three-game series at Cougar Field on Saturday, March 29, 2014.

The Cougars started off slow, with starting pitcher Jake Lemoine giving up two runs on three hits in the first inning to give the Tigers the early lead.

Memphis scores an addition run in the third to take a three-run lead.

The Cougars came storming back the third bottom of the third, scoring three runs when right fielder Kyle Survance singles to left field; scoring second baseman Josh Vidales from second.

First baseman Casey Grayson next reached base on a throwing error by Memphis third baseman Zach Schritenthal to score short stop Frankie Ratcliff and Survance.

Both runs were unearned.

In the seventh inning, Vidales’ sacrifice fly to center field allowed designated hitter Justin Montemayor to score the Cougars’ fourth run.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

Houston increased their lead to three runs when center fielder Ashford Fulmer hit a monster shot over the left field fence for a two run homer; sending third baseman Jordan Stading home from first.

The home run was the second of the season for Fulmer.

Houston head coach Todd Whitting talked with the press after the game and had praised for his players:

"Gutsy performance by (Jake) Lemoine tonight. He got squared up a little bit, but he competed like crazy. He did a good job of keeping us in the game. We played horrendous defense behind him early in the game, but we played good defense late. Tyler Ford was money out of the bullpen. He came in, and was pounding the zone with his fastball. We had timely hits tonight, I told the team we had to put those first three innings behind us, because we can't control that. We just had to be better than them for the next six innings."

Tyler Ford, pitching 3.1 inning in relief got the win; the fourth of the year.

Lemoine saw 5-2 innings of action, giving up seven hits while facing 25 batters.

Memphis starting pitcher Jon Reed received the loss.

With the win, Houston raises its season record to 21-5 and 1-1 in conference play.

Houston drops conference baseball opener to Memphis

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 28, 2014) The Houston Cougars could not overcome an early run by the Memphis Tigers, falling in the first American Athletic Conference baseball game for both teams by the score of 2-1 at Cougar Field on Friday, March 28, 2014.

The Tigers got on the scoreboard in the first inning when lead off hitter Zach Willis scored from third base on a sacrifice bunt by Tucker Tubbs.

Willis reached base on a fielding error by Houston shortstop Frankie Ratcliff.

He advanced to second when Ethan Gross was hit on his first pitch from Cougar starter Aaron Garza.

Memphis scored their second run on a sacrifice by center fielder Jake Little to score third baseman Drew Griffin from third base.

Houston got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth inning on a fielder’s choice by second baseman Josh Vidales to score Caleb Barker.

Caleb Wallingford, pitching seven innings, got his fourth win of the season for the Tigers while Garza, pitching eight complete innings, received his first loss for 2014.

Bryce Beeler, pitching one inning of relief, got the save.

With the loss, the Cougars fall to 20-5 for the season and 0-1 in conference.

The second game of the weekend series will be at 6:35 p.m. on Saturday, March 29.

Houston Cougars upset No. 21 Memphis in conference slug fest

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

Photo by Robert Kelly-TexSport Publications
Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved.
 

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 27, 2014) Facing their third ranked team of the season, the Houston Cougars came out swinging and in doing so, upset #21/22 Memphis by the score of 77-68 in front of 3,628 fans in Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston, Texas on Thursday evening, February 27, 2013.

The game was an extremely close match; with Houston leading by as much as nine with 14 seconds remaining in the game, while the Tigers were ahead by four at the 15:32 mark in the first half.

In the slug out match, the score was tied seven times and the lead changed 13 times.

TaShawn Thomas had one of the best game of his career; connecting for 16 points with seven rebounds and three blocked shots.

He connected on six-of-seven from the field and four-of-six from the free throw line.

The 21-year old forward from Killeen, Texas celebrated his birthday on the day of the game and commented about that very fact during the post-game press conference:

“This was the best birthday of my life in beating Memphis.”

With his Thursday evening performance, Thomas became the seventh player in Houston Cougars history to score 1,300 points and pull down 800 rebounds in his career.

However, outstanding performances were not limited to Thomas.

Danuel House was a scoring machine on the floor; sinking 19 points and shooting five-of eight from the field along with three from behind the arc.

He was six-of-nine from the foul line.

Head coach James Dickey commented on House’s success at the free throw line.

“We want to get the ball to Danuel late in the game. He can hit those free throws and they help us a great bit.”

Jherrod Stiggers contributed to Houston’s scoring effort; accounting for 14 point while pulling down four rebounds.

Starting guard L.J. Rose pulled down seven rebounds, all on defense, while making 10 assists and shooting five-of-six from the free throw line.

With the upset win, the Cougars will have little time to celebrate.

They board a plane on Friday morning; travelling to Philadelphia for an 8 p.m. match-up against Temple on Saturday, March 1.

Following the trip to the City of Brotherly Love, they will return to Houston for their final home game of the season against South Florida on Tuesday, March 4.

Houston will close out the regular season on the road against Central Florida on Friday, March 7.

With three games remaining, the Cougars are in sixth place in the American Athletic Conference.

The top six teams receive first-round byes at the conference tournament to be held at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee on March 12-15.

Currently, Temple is 2-14 in conference play after losing to Louisville on Thursday evening.

South Florida is two places behind Houston in the standings with a 3-12 record, while Houston's final regular season opponent, Central Florida, is 3-11 in conference play.

Houston Cougars Down Memphis Tigers 81-68 in C-USA Women's Basketball Action

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2011 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 23. 2011) Led by the radar shooting of Brittany Scott and Courtney Taylor, the Houston Cougars (15-4, 6-0 C-USA) increased their winning streak to seven games in defeating the Memphis Tigers (14-6, 3-3 C-USA) 81-68 at Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston.

The Cougars are now 6-0 in conference play and sit alone at the top of the Conference USA standings.

Scott led all Cougar players, scoring 20 points with five rebounds, while Scott added 19 with a game-high nine rebounds.

Porsche Landry and Brittany Mason also helped with the scoring, chipping in 10 and nine, respectively.

The game started out slowly with Houston leading 32-27 at the half. They were 12-29 in two-point range and a meager 1-5 from three-point range.

For the game, Houston shot 50 percent (27-of-54) from the field, 43 percent (6-of-14) from 3-point range and 81 percent (21-of-26) from the free-throw line.

The Cougars edged Memphis in the rebounding battle by a 38-36 margin, while handing out 19 assists and swatting six shots. Houston turned the ball over 23 times compared to 20 miscues for the Tigers.

With the win, the Cougars have won eighth-straight contest against Memphis to improve to 11-10 all-time against the Tigers.

With a 6-0 record in league play, Houston has jumped out to its best-ever start in C-USA action.

Scott made her 80th-consecutive start on Sunday dating back to the beginning of the 2008-09 season.

Brittany Carter led Memphis with 23 points and Jasmine Lee added 18 points in the loss.

Houston returns to action at UCF on Thursday with a 6:00pm start.

Houston Cougars To Face C-USA Foe Memphis At The Liberty Bowl

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 30, 2010) The Houston Cougars (4-3, 3-1 C-USA) will travel to the state of Tennessee to take on the Memphis Tigers (1-6, 0-4 C-USA). Game time is set for 6:00pm at the Liberty Bowl.

The contest will be the 19th meeting between Memphis and Houston, with the Cougars having a 6-5 record versus the Tigers while members of Conference USA.

Overall, Houston leads the series 10-9, with a 4-4 record playing in Memphis.

The first meeting between these foes was on November 30, 1963 with the Tigers winning 29-6. Last year, Houston downed Memphis 55-14 at Robertson Stadium.

In Houston’s four wins, the Cougars have outscored their opponents by an average of 28.5 points. UH won by 40 in the season opener vs. Texas State, by 30 over UTEP, were 19-point winners over Tulane and won by 25 at SMU.

Houston ranks in the top-25 nationally in total, passing and scoring offense. With 39.6 points per game, UH is ninth in the NCAA in scoring, while 284.4 passing yards per contest is 17th. The UH total offense is ranked 24th with 442.6 yards per game.

UH has started true freshmen quarterbacks the past four games; David Piland vs. Mississippi State, at Rice and at SMU and Terrance Broadway against Tulane. Until the fourth game of the season, UH had not started a true freshman quarterback since Kevin Kolb in 2003.

Twelve true-freshmen have played for the Cougars this season opener; TE Kenneth Bibbins, Jr., QB Terrance Broadway, DB Kent Brooks, DL Jeremiah Farley, DB Aaron Johnson, DB D.J. Jones, WR Darian Lazard, P Richie Leone, DB Zach McMillan, LB Efrem Oliphant, QB David Piland and LB Austin Wilson.

With his two rushing touchdowns at SMU, junior running back Bryce Beall broke the school career record for rushing touchdowns with 32, topping Jackie Battle’s 31 scored from 2003-06. Beall also has 12 rushing touchdowns for the season which is three away from the school single-season record of 15.