MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) men's basketball team fell at Memphis 94-75 on Monday at the FedEx Forum.
 
Junior Nick Dixon led UTRGV (0-2) with 28 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, plus 10-of-115from the line, with eight rebounds rebounds, two assists and four steals. Junior Mike Hoffman scored 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-6 from behind the arc, with two rebounds, two blocks and two steals.
 
K.J. Lawson led Memphis (1-0) with 25 points on 8-of-10 shooting, eight rebounds and four assists. Dedric Lawson posted a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Jeremiah Martin scored 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting with six assists and four steals. Markel Crawford scored 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
 
The game was tight over the first nine and a half minutes, as Hoffman hit two jumpers and a three to help keep UTRGV within 27-21.
 
After a timeout, however, Memphis scored 13-straight points as part of an 18-3 run that started with a Craig Randall three and ended with a Randall jumper to make it 45-24.
 
Dixon responded with back-to-back layups as UTRGV went on a 16-3 run that included two three-pointers by sophomore Antonio Green to pull within 48-40 with 38 seconds left in the first half.
 
UTRGV was within 51-42 after a layup by sophomore Walter Jones in the opening minute of the second half, but dunks by Chad Ryhoek and Martin bookended a 20-4 run as Memphis pushed its lead to 25.
 
A three by sophomore Lew Stallworth sparked a 14-4 run to bring UTRGV within 75-60 midway through the half, but a Christian Kessee three started a 17-7 run to help Memphis push the game out of reach.
 
UTRGV plays its home opener on Wednesday at 7 p.m. when it hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi as part of the South Texas Showdown, presented by Navy Army Community Credit Union, at the UTRGV Fieldhouse. There will be a pregame rally in the fieldhouse courtyard starting at 6 p.m. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive a free showdown t-shirt. Fans who already have showdown t-shirts are encouraged to wear their shirts to receive a free hot dog voucher. Additionally, 500 rally towels will be distributed to UTRGV students sitting in sections E and F, courtesy of University Draft House. Doors open at 6. UTRGV leads the showdown 11-9.

Support UTRGV Men's Basketball | Become a Fan on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram | Follow us on YouTube