SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Jayden Reid scored 17 of his game-high 26 points in the second half to lead Memphis to an 80-76 win over No. 18 Iowa State on Monday night in the teams' season opener.
The Tigers had to hang on late to secure the win. Memphis led 69-62 with just over five minutes remaining on a 3-pointer by Rihards Vavers before the Cyclones made a late push.
Iowa State’s 7-0 run tied it at 69 before Reid took over late to secure the win for Memphis.
The Northwestern transfer scored 11 points in the final three minutes, including a big 3-pointer with 38 seconds to play to give Memphis a 78-73 lead.
Iowa State’s Dominykas Pleta scored 13 points in the final 10 minutes of the game to keep the Cyclones in it. He finished with 15.
Ryan Prather Jr. led Iowa State with 19 points.
While Reid had the late-game heroics, the Tigers were led for most of the night by Luke Almodovar, who finished with 15 points. He fouled out with just over three minutes to play when Reid used his scoring surge for Memphis down the stretch.
The first half was tight, featuring 11 lead changes and seven ties. Fittingly, a dunk at the buzzer by Almodovar gave Memphis a 40-39 lead at the break.
Neither team led by more than five in the opening half. Memphis built a 19-14 lead before Iowa State regained the lead on a Leon Bond III 3-pointer for a 25-23 edge with just over eight minutes to play. Bond scored six points in under a minute to fuel the run.
Iowa State took a 37-32 advantage with three minutes to play on a basket by Tamin Lipsey before Memphis closed out the half on an 8-2 run, capped by Almodovar’s drive and dunk at the buzzer.
Memphis: Host VCU on Saturday.
Iowa State: Host Southern Mississippi on Friday.
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