Horne helps lead Tulsa to big upset of No. 20 Memphis
By JOHN TRANCHINA - Jan. 22, 2020 11:17 PM EST
Tulsa head coach Frank Haith instructs his team in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Memphis in Tulsa, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Joey Johnson)
Tulsa head coach Frank Haith instructs his team in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Memphis in Tulsa, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Joey Johnson)
Memphis guard Boogie Ellis (5) passes in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Joey Johnson)
Tulsa forward Martins Igbanu (1) dribbles to the basket against Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa (55) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tulsa, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Joey Johnson)
Tulsa forward Martins Igbanu (1) celebrates after scoring in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Memphis in Tulsa, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Joey Johnson)
Memphis forward D.J. Jeffries (0) dunks in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Joey Johnson)
Memphis guard Jayden Hardaway (25) is fouled by Tulsa guard Isaiah Hill (4) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tulsa, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Joey Johnson)
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TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Jeriah Horne scored 21 points to help lead Tulsa to a surprisingly dominant 80-40 win over No. 20 Memphis on Wednesday night.

The 40-point margin of victory is the largest-ever for Tulsa against a ranked opponent.

Martins Igbanu had 11 points and Brandon Rachal, the reigning American Athletic Conference’s Player of the Week, also had 11 for Tulsa (13-6, 5-1 American). The Golden Hurricane has now won four straight games following a stretch where they went 1-3.

Precious Achiuwa scored 10 points for Memphis (14-4, 3-2), which shot a season-low 28.8 % from the floor.

Memphis entered the day leading the entire nation in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to an average of 35% shooting, but the Golden Hurricane shot 50 percent (27 of 54).

That marked a season-high for both Tulsa and for Memphis to have allowed.

Tulsa took a 23-point lead into halftime and just kept building on it well into the second half. After Horne’s 3-pointer with 9:03 left, the Golden Hurricane led 67-32 and the Tulsa crowd chanted, “Overrated,” referring to Memphis.

BIG PICTURE

Memphis: The Tigers came in connecting on 33.8 % of their 3-point shots, but had a difficult time from beyond the arc. After going 0-for-10 on 3-point attempts in the first half, Memphis made 2 of 11 in the second to finish at 9.5%. That marked the lowest percentage of the season for the Tigers.

Tulsa: The Golden Hurricane got off to a strong start, with Isaiah Hill’s 3-pointer capping off a 17-4 run to give Tulsa a commanding 26-10 lead with 8:34 remaining in the opening half. They were able to maintain, and then build on, that advantage throughout the first half, taking a 40-17 edge into halftime. Tulsa continued its dominance well into the second half.

UP NEXT

Memphis: The Tigers return home for just the second time in January, hosting SMU on Saturday.

Tulsa: The Golden Hurricane travel to Storrs to take on Connecticut in an early 11 a.m. start on Sunday.