MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Jeremiah Martin had 21 points as Memphis defeated Tulane, 83-68, in the first round of the 2019 Air Force Reserve American Athletic Conference Championship on Thursday.

Martin went for at least 20 points for the 16th time season as the Tigers improved to 16-2 inside FedExForum. The leading scorer in The American, Martin made 12-of-15 foul shots and added seven assists.

Memphis, the No. 5 seed in the tournament advances to take on No. 4 UCF on Friday, March 15, at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT.



Memphis (20-12) totaled 52 first-half points, a season best for the team. The strong half was needed as Tulane (4-27) shot 51.7-percent from the field in the first half.

Tulane's Caleb Daniels scored 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting. It is the 27th time this season that Daniels has reached double-figure scoring.

The Green Wave held a 22-4 edge in fastbreak points and turned 10 Tiger turnovers into 18 points but could not overcome Memphis' big first half.

Kyvon Davenport had 17 points and seven rebounds for Memphis. Mike Parks Jr. added 14 points and 13 rebounds for his first double-double of the season and third of his career. Tyler Harris added 12 points off the bench on four 3-pointers.

Tulane's Blake Paul added 12 points and seven rebounds. Shakwon Barrett had seven assists.