SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Memphis started its men’s basketball season with a win over a ranked team, holding off No. 18 Iowa State 80-76 on Monday night at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Jayden Reid carried the Tigers late. With the score tied 69-69 and just over three minutes left, the senior guard scored four straight points, then buried a 3-pointer with 38 seconds to play for a 78-73 cushion. His two free throws with 20 seconds left sealed it. Reid finished with a game-high 26 points, 17 after halftime, and made 12 of his 14 foul shots.
Luke Almodovar added 18 points, eight rebounds and two steals, and his dunk at the halftime horn sent Memphis to the break up 40-39. Rihards Vavers scored 15 with three 3-pointers, and Corneilous Williams grabbed eight rebounds off the bench.
Memphis hit 45 percent from 3-point range, going 9 of 20, and made 25 of 33 free throws in a game with 50 total fouls. The Tigers also turned seven steals into a 14-5 edge in fast-break points. Iowa State held a 38-26 advantage in the paint but made only 20 percent of its threes.
Ryan Prather Jr. led the Cyclones with 19 points. Dominykas Pleta scored 15, Tamin Lipsey added 12 and Tre Singleton had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Iowa State had not lost a season opener since 2017.
Under head coach Penny Hardaway, Memphis is now 9-0 in openers. It was the program’s first opening-day win over a ranked team since 1995, when the Tigers beat No. 24 Purdue. The win also evens the all-time series with Iowa State at one game each. Memphis plays its home opener Saturday at 2 p.m. against VCU at FedExForum.
Section: More Memphis TN sports news
Memphis sports business profiles
Filed under: Memphis TN Sports News
