Fourth-year wing David Jones poured in a career-high 36 points to lead Memphis to an 84-79 victory over No. 20 Arkansas on Thursday in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas.
Jones canned 10 of 14 field-goal attempts and 12 of 14 free throws while adding five steals as the Tigers (5-0) advanced to Friday’s championship game, where they will face Villanova. Nick Jourdain contributed 12 points and Jaykwon Walton had 11 as Memphis won its first meeting with Arkansas since Jan. 3, 2003.
Khalif Battle posted 21 points to lead four scorers in double figures for the Razorbacks (4-2), who will face No. 14 North Carolina in Friday’s third-place game. Davonte Davis notched 15 points and Trevon Brazile recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tigers and Razorbacks swapped the lead 14 times in the first half before Memphis took a 42-37 lead into the break. Jones delivered the final lead change, as he drilled two 3-pointers in the final 23 seconds. He scored 17 points before the break, making all six of his field-goal attempts.
Arkansas didn’t help its cause by drawing two first-half technicals after scoring. At the 8:07 mark, Davis drilled a 3-pointer to give Arkansas a 21-19 lead, but Davis was whistled for a technical after he pointed at the Tigers’ bench. Jahvon Quinerly sank both free throws to forge a 21-21 tie.
With 4:52 to go, Brazile picked up a technical after Battle hit two free throws to give Arkansas a 30-26 lead. Ashton Hardaway boxed out Brazile with an aggressive blow to the chest, so Brazile jogged over to Hardaway and jostled and jawed at him as they headed downcourt.
Arkansas wasn’t able to grab the lead at any point in the second half as Memphis kept putting the ball in Jones’ hands. Jones sank two free throws with 8:25 left to give Memphis its biggest lead up to that point at 64-55, but Arkansas mounted a rally.
Layden Blocker and Battle delivered back-to-back layups to pull the Razorbacks within five, then Battle drove for another layup as the whistle blew. While Battle celebrated in anticipation of an and-one, the official signaled a charge and wiped away the basket to preserve Memphis’ 64-59 lead.
Just over two minutes later, Blocker picked up Arkansas’ third technical of the night and Jones sank two free throws to set his career high with 34 points. Arkansas couldn’t get closer than four the rest of the way.
–Field Level Media