Basketball Recap: Memphis Rise Academy Falls to University in First Game of Season

Memphis Rise Academy unfortunately couldn't capitalize on their home-court advantage in their season opener. The game between Memphis Rise Academy and the University Tigers didn't end well, with Memphis Rise Academy falling 64-45. If Memphis Rise Academy was looking for revenge after losing 43-42 to University when the teams met back in January, then they'll just have to keep looking.

Several Memphis Rise Academy players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Ta'Varreo Smith, who dropped a double-double with 22 points and ten rebounds. Darius Gates was another key player, going 5-for-7 to rack up 11 points.

Leading University to victory were LaTrevius Gant and Lexington Griffin. Gant shot 44% from the field on his way to 23 points and eight boards, while Griffin went 6-for-10 en route to 16 points and three steals. Those eight rebounds gave Gant a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Nicholas Johnson, who posted six points.

The win was the third in a row for University, bringing their record up to 3-0.

Memphis Rise Academy didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next matchup, a 65-54 victory against Compass - Midtown on the 5th. As for University, they will venture away from home to challenge Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering at 7:30 p.m. on Monday.