David Jones racks up 26 points and nine Tigers get on the scoresheet as No. 23 Memphis routes No. 22 Virginia, 77-54.
It is the first time in program history Memphis has defeated top-25 teams in three consecutive regular season games.
It marked the largest victory for Memphis over a ranked opponent since February 8th, 1964 when the Tigers defeated No. 10 DePaul, 98-67.
The Tigers shot 46% from the field and 39% from three but it was the effort on the defensive end that was the most impressive.
Memphis held preseason All-ACC first-teamer Reece Beekman to 13 points.
Isaac McKneely, statistically the best three-point shooter in the NCAA headed into the game, went 0-5 from three.
Virginia shot 39% from the field and 21% from three.
The Cavaliers had 18 turnovers, 15 of which were Memphis steals. Prior to the Game Virginia averaged eight turnovers a game.
“When they made some plays with their athleticism and disrupted us, then all of a sudden we made some uncharacteristic (mistakes),” Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. “We couldn’t even dribble, pass (or) make simple plays. Then that just snowballed.”
“Our identity is defense,” Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said. “That's who we are. We're a disruptive team. That's our identity.”
Heading into the game Virginia was statistically one of the best defensive teams in the NCAA but Memphis had little trouble putting points on the board.
The Tigers jumped out to a 13-1 lead to start the game and never relinquished the lead.
Virginia even trailed by 25 points in the second half.
Jones had a game-high 26 points and Caleb Mills added nine points.
Memphis shot 46% from the field and 39% from three.
“We just came together at halftime,” said Memphis center Malcolm Dandridge, who had nine points, eight rebounds and three steals. “We seen a couple of mistakes we needed to adjust on and went from there.”
The monumental win wasn't the only highlight for Tiger's fans on Tuesday.
Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who officially transferred from Kansas State to Memphis on Tuesday, was on the Memphis bench for the game.
Although he has officially joined the team and can practice, Tomlin is still awaiting his confirmation of graduation from Kansas State before competing for the Tigers in 2023-24.
Memphis will play Vanderbilt on December 23rd and Austin Peay on December 30th before the begin conference play.
