PORTLAND, Ore. — The Memphis Tigers' season ended Saturday night after a hard-fought matchup against 1-seed Gonzaga. The final score: Gonzaga 82, Memphis 78.
Head Coach Penny Hardaway started the match-up with his strongest five, all veterans with the exception of freshman Jalen Duren. Although able to contribute some explosive plays, Duren left the first and second half early due to foul trouble.
However, Memphis' bench was able to keep the Tigers alive, shooting 29-2 over Gonzaga's bench, half way through the second half.
Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren, Drew Timme, and Andrew Nembhard were the biggest threats from the Bulldogs. Nembhard shooting 5-10 from beyond the arc.
Overall, it was not a great shooting game from deep for Gonzaga. Memphis was able to control the tempo for most of the game limiting Gonzaga to just 28% from deep.
Both teams were served a technical foul each, Gonzaga's came after head coach Mark Few challenged the refs on a call and DeAndre Williams after a flagrant foul was called. It was Williams' fourth foul of the game.
In the second half, the Bulldogs out-rebounded the Tigers.
The Tigers also struggled with fatigue, with little options inside due to foul trouble midway through the second half.
Ultimately, fouls led to the demise of Memphis' '21 '22 season after the Tigers forced fouls to stop the clock late and Gonzaga capitalized.
In hindsight, a lot to be proud of from Memphis. Not only did the Tigers turn their season around, after a rough start, but they also made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament after 8 long years of never getting close.
Penny Hardaway, prior to the game, said he could not yet say whether or not this season was a successful one. However, after an exciting battle to the very end against the countries top team, most of Memphis might say it was a season full of hopeful signs that this won't be the Tigers' last trip to the NCAA Tournament under Coach Penny.
Gonzaga will advance to the Sweet 16 to play Arkansas.
