Memphis’ D.J. Stephens, center, battles SMU’s Rodney Clinkscales (0) and Leslee Smith for a loose ball during first half action in an NCAA college basketball game at the FedExForum, Saturday in Memphis. (Associated Press)

The Mustang basketball team was unable to hold back conference opponents Memphis during Saturday afternoon’s game in Memphis, Tenn.

The Tigers, 4-1 in conference play, were only up by two when the first half buzzer sounded with a score of 30-28.

SMU led the first half with a field goal percentage of 42.9 and shot 100 percent from the free throw line.

Despite out-shooting Memphis the entire beginning half, SMU couldn’t get past the Tiger defense.

Refreshed from the halftime break, Memphis came out the locker room ready to rumble.

The Tigers dominated the second half without making a single three-point basket.

Memphis connected shot after shot, with 20 points in the paint as opposed to SMU’s eight points in the final half of the game.

SMU was only able to make 2 of 18 shots, enabling Memphis to gain control of the ball game and take a double-digit lead.

Will Barton and Tarik Black led Memphis during the match-up. Barton was able to connect the majority of his shots to lead the team with 24 points while Black proved to be valuable both offensively and defensively with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Mustangs Robert Nyakundi, Jalen Jones and Jeremiah Samarrippas each finished the game with 10 points for SMU.

Along with his 10 points, Samarrippas had six assists and four steals.

The loss is the Mustangs third in the last four games, with their only win being against the University of Houston Cougars (1-4).

SMU will take on the Tulane Greenwave (1-4) when they make the trip to New Orleans, La. Wednesday, Jan.25 at 7 p.m. CT.

The Mustangs will return to Moody Coliseum Jan. 28 to face the University of Tulsa at 2 p.m.