Memphis Falls to No. 11 Louisville as Hot-Shooting Cardinals Snap Tigers’ Win Streak
**LOUISVILLE, Ky. ** - For the first 10 minutes or so, Memphis looked like a team ready to go toe-to-toe with a top-15 opponent.
But once Louisville found its rhythm from deep, the Tigers couldn’t keep pace. The result: a 99-73 loss that ended Memphis’ three-game win streak and served as a reminder of just how punishing a team can be when it gets hot from beyond the arc.
Louisville, ranked No. 11 nationally, torched the nets with 18 made three-pointers - 12 of them coming in a first half that saw the Cardinals break the game open. That perimeter barrage turned what had been a competitive contest into a 20-point halftime deficit, and the Tigers never recovered.
Memphis drops to 4-5 on the season, and while there were bright spots, the Tigers simply couldn’t match the firepower Louisville brought to the KFC Yum! Center.
Louisville’s Long-Range Barrage
The story of the game was Louisville’s shooting - plain and simple. The Cardinals hit 12 of their 17 field goals in the first half from deep, and they didn’t cool off much after the break. By the final buzzer, they had knocked down 18 threes, the most Memphis has allowed in a game since at least the 1996-97 season.
Ryan Conwell led the charge with 17 points, hitting multiple threes, and was one of four Louisville players to connect on at least three shots from distance. Adrian Wooley added 15 points on an efficient 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Every time Memphis looked like it might chip away, Louisville had an answer - usually from deep.
Hakim Shines in Return, McDaniel Hits Milestone
There were still some standout performances for Memphis, starting with Hasan Abdul Hakim. Making just his second start of the season, Hakim came out firing and poured in 17 of his team-high 18 points in the first half. He added four rebounds and two steals, showing why his presence in the lineup could be a key factor moving forward.
Dug McDaniel continued his steady production with 16 points, including 12 in the second half. He was perfect from the free-throw line (6-for-6) and added two rebounds and two steals. While he didn’t record an assist for the first time since December 2024, McDaniel did hit a personal milestone, surpassing 1,200 career points.
Off the bench, Sincere Parker chipped in 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists in 22 minutes. He and Ashton Hardaway led the team in assists with three apiece.
Tigers Battle on the Boards, But Defense Falters
Memphis actually held its own on the glass, getting edged just 34-33 in total rebounds. But what stood out was the Tigers’ work on the offensive boards - they pulled down 16, leading to 21 second-chance points. That’s now 23 straight games with at least nine offensive rebounds, tying them with Rutgers for the longest active streak in Division I.
This was also the third time this season Memphis has scored 20+ second-chance points, already matching last year’s total. So while the scoreboard didn’t favor the Tigers, the effort on the glass was there.
The trouble came on the defensive end. After holding opponents to just 29.5 points per first half over their last three games, Memphis gave up 57 before the break - the most it has allowed in a single half all season. That defensive slippage, combined with Louisville’s red-hot shooting, proved too much to overcome.
Bench Production Dips
Coming into the game, Memphis led the American Athletic Conference in bench scoring, averaging 34.6 points per game. But the reserves managed just 24 points against the Cardinals - a noticeable drop in production. That said, the Tigers have still racked up 156 bench points over their last four games, and depth remains a strength for this group.
Looking Ahead
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for Memphis. The Tigers head back home to face No.
15 Vanderbilt on Wednesday night at FedExForum, a chance to regroup and test themselves against another ranked opponent. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
Then, it’s a quick turnaround before heading to Starkville on Saturday to take on Mississippi State at 3 p.m. on ESPN. Two games, two big opportunities for Memphis to show what it’s made of - and to prove that Saturday’s loss in Louisville was a bump in the road, not a step back.