Memphis topples No. 1 Houston; Hardaway back to NCAA tourney
Memphis guard Kendric Davis (3) drives to the basket against Houston guard Tramon Mark during the first half in the finals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/LM Otero]
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Kendric Davis scored 31 points and Memphis held on to beat No. 1 Houston 75-65 in the American Athletic Conference tournament championship game. DeAndre Williams had 16 points and 13 rebounds for coach Penny Hardaway and the 26-8 Tigers, who got the league’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid. Houston played without AAC player of the year Marcus Sasser, who strained his groin in the first half of Saturday’s semifinal game. The 31-3 Cougars were already set for the NCAA tourney. J’Wan Roberts had 12 points and 20 rebounds for Houston. Jamal Shead had 15 points on 3-of-14 shooting.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Memphis forward DeAndre Williams (12) and guard Kendric Davis (3) celebrate a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Houston in the finals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/LM Otero
Houston's Marcus Sasser sits on the bench during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Memphis in the finals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/LM Otero
Memphis forward DeAndre Williams, center, holds the winner's trophy with Kendric Davis, left, Alex Lomax, right, and other teammates after winning the finals against Houston in the American Athletic Conference Tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/LM Otero