Memphis snapped a three-game losing streak with a dominant second-half performance against Alabama State on Monday night. The Tigers defeated the Hornets 84-75 at FedExForum, securing a crucial win before American Athletic Conference play begins next week.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Final Score: Memphis 84, Alabama State 75 at FedExForum on December 22, 2025
- Three-Game Streak Snapped: Tigers entered losers of 3 straight, Hornets were on 5-game skid
- Second Half Dominance: Memphis led 31-23 at halftime and controlled the game throughout the second half
- Conference Play Ahead: Tigers open American Athletic Conference schedule December 31 against North Texas
Memphis Tigers Finally Break Losing Streak
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The Memphis Tigers (now 5-7) desperately needed a win after dropping three straight games. The loss to Mississippi State 71-66 on December 20 had extended the frustrating stretch for coach Penny Hardaway’s squad. Against Alabama State (3-8), Memphis took control early and never let the Hornets back in the game during a convincing wire-to-wire performance at home.
Memphis built a 31-23 halftime lead and simply dominated in the second half. The Tigers shot 46% from the field compared to Alabama State’s 35%. At the free throw line, Memphis made 5 of 6 attempts (83%) while Alabama State was just 50%. This efficiency on both ends of the floor proved to be the difference in a game where momentum clearly favored the home team from tipoff.
Ashton Hardaway Leads Memphis in Win
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Ashton Hardaway continued his strong play for the Tigers, staying aggressive on offense in the early minutes. The forward was among the lead scorers for Memphis, contributing when the team needed to build its cushion. Curtis Givens III also came off the bench to make an impact, providing Memphis with the depth scoring it needed to put away the Hornets convincingly.
Dug McDaniel handled the point guard duties for Memphis throughout the night. The team’s leading scorer this season, McDaniel has averaged 13.9 points and 5.3 assists per game. Against Alabama State, Memphis executed effectively on offense and forced the Hornets into 6 turnovers compared to Memphis’ 9 turnovers, controlling the tempo of the game.
| Team | Final Score | FG% | 3-Pt% |
| Memphis Tigers | 84 | 46% | 36% |
| Alabama State Hornets | 75 | 35% | 27% |
Alabama State Struggles on Road Against Strong Memphis Defense
Alabama State arrived in Memphis already riding a five-game losing streak, and FedExForum provided an inhospitable environment for the Hornets. The Tigers improved to 4-2 at home this season, making their home court a true advantage. Alabama State shot just 35% from the field and 27% from three-point range, indicating they struggled to find rhythm against Memphis’s defense.
The Hornets were led by Asjon Anderson with 7 points, but Alabama State couldn’t generate enough offensive firepower. The team grabbed 13 rebounds compared to Memphis’s 18, losing the battle on the glass. For a team trying to climb out of a five-game losing streak, the road matchup against a determined Memphis team proved too much to overcome.
Penny Hardaway’s Tigers Look Ahead to Conference Play
With this victory, Memphis wraps up non-conference play and prepares for the American Athletic Conference schedule. The Tigers begin AAC play on December 31 with a home game against North Texas (3 p.m. ET, ESPN2 or ESPNU). This win should provide some momentum and confidence heading into a conference season where the Tigers must improve significantly from their current 5-7 record.
Penny Hardaway’s squad has faced an up-and-down season with earlier losses to ranked programs like No. 1 Purdue and other ranked opponents. Breaking the losing streak against Alabama State provides a chance to reset before conference play intensifies. The depth that Memphis showed Monday night, with contributions from multiple players, suggests the Tigers have the pieces to be competitive in the AAC moving forward.
What Does This Result Mean for Both Teams’ Conference Push?
For Memphis, this win demonstrates they can control games when they execute properly and play with defensive intensity. The Tigers proved they can be dangerous at home, which is critical since they’ll play multiple conference games at FedExForum. The win stops the bleeding and gives the team confidence entering AAC play.
For Alabama State, the loss extends their struggles on the road. Playing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the Hornets needed this non-conference win to build momentum. Instead, they’ll head back home looking to snap their losing streak within the SWAC. Both programs face important season turning points as conference play begins this week for most teams.
Sources
- ESPN – Live game coverage with official box score and statistics
- The Commercial Appeal – Memphis local coverage with pre-game and post-game updates
- CBS Sports – Official game tracker with real-time scoring information
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.