Memphis was carrying some momentum and confidence into Sunday’s matchup with No. 2 Houston after winning seven of its past eight games. Then, Kendric Davis got hurt.

The former Houston High star helps the University of Memphis beat Tulsa on the road, for a fourth straight win.

Go ahead, take the loss, and wait for brighter days. Most importantly: Show Houston nothing in the process.

The Memphis Tigers lost Kendric Davis to injury, lost 24 turnovers and somehow still managed to beat Central Florida Thursday night. It may not have been the most important win in Memphis history. But it was unlike any that have come before. 

Davis injured his right ankle with 4:25 left in the first half of Memphis’ 64-63 win over UCF at FedExForum on Thursday.

Without injured Kendric Davis, the Tigers’ lead evaporated. With seven seconds left, Damaria Franklin played hero. The 6-foot-3 guard created a steal and then made the fastbreak layup that proved to be the difference.

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Penny Hardaway provides Kendric Davis update: ‘He’s a tough kid’

Box score: Memphis 64, UCF 63

Kendric Davis helped off court after breaking the AAC's all-time scoring record

NCAA men’s basketball box score for the Thursday, Feb. 16 game between the Memphis Tigers and UCF Knights from FedExForum in Memphis.

Davis became the AAC’s all-time scoring leader Thursday night, but left game with an injury shortly after.

Memphis’ face-off with UCF offers the Tigers a chance to grab a sixth Quadrant 2 victory.

Memphis has taken its lumps without Alex Lomax and Malcolm Dandridge — losing to Tulane twice and UCF once in games in which either one or both weren’t available — but it’s since found a way to make up for their absence.

In some aspects, Memphis looks like a sure-fire NCAA Tournament team; in others, it leaves plenty of room for question.

Joe Lunardi and his Bracketology projects are everywhere as Memphis beats Temple and heads down the stretch.

DeAndre Williams is determined to lead the Tigers through this critical stretch because making the NCAA Tournament never gets old.

NCAA men’s basketball box score for the Sunday, Feb. 12 game between the Memphis Tigers and the Temple Owls played at FedExForum in Memphis.

The Tigers withstood one final blow (a 12-0 run) from their opponent to come out with 86-77 victory over the Owls on Sunday morning.

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Box Score: Memphis 86, Temple 77

Buckley: Penny Hardaway and the Tigers can’t escape the bubble talk

The Tigers play host to the Owls on Sunday, Feb. 12. They needed a Kendric Davis buzzer-beater to beat the same team in January at Philadelphia. Now Davis is close to breaking a major AAC record.

Penny Hardaway addressed Malcolm Dandridge and Alex Lomax injuries while commenting on former Tigers in the NBA and LeBron James’ all-time scoring record. 

“We know we can’t lose anymore,” senior forward DeAndre Williams said. “We just wanna ride this momentum and keep winning.”

Though the Bulls (10-14, 3-8 AAC) hung around until midway through the second half and didn’t make it easy, coach Penny Hardaway’s team did what it had to do in critical moments of the game.

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Box score: Memphis 99, South Florida 81

Tigers Talk: Upadhyaya and Martin on NCAA Tournament bubble, injuries, upcoming grudge match

NCAA men’s basketball box score for the Wednesday, Feb. 8 game between the Memphis Tigers and South Florida Bulls played at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa.

How much of a difference will the returns of Malcolm Dandridge and Alex Lomax make for the Tigers? 

With eight regular-season games left, the Tigers need to be almost perfect to keep NCAA Tournament hopes alive. That quest continues with a road game against South Florida. 

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Tigers Basketball Insider: Tyler Harris will be extra motivated against Memphis

An AAC record will be within reach for Harris when South Florida and his former team meet again Wednesday.

The University of Memphis Tigers point guard scored a game-high 26 points but made a miscue late in an overtime loss to Tulane.

Memphis fans thronged to FedExForum to celebrate Lorenzen Wright, Larry Finch and the Memphis Tigers. Then the game happened. For reasons that are becoming all too familiar, it did not go well.