Memphis' Ricky Tarrant Swallows Own Blood, Makes Game-Winning Free Throws

In a clutch moment against the Temple Owls, Memphis Tigers guard Ricky Tarrant Jr. did what he had to do to stay in the game and give his team the win.

Temple tied the game at 65 with 2.5 seconds remaining. On the ensuing inbounds play, Tarrant wound up with a bloody mouth after colliding with an Owls player, drawing a foul with 1.5 seconds left.

Memphis had some time to try to get Tarrant—an 86.7 percent shooter from the line—cleaned up so he could take his free throws. However, the refs nearly made the Tigers take the guard out of the game because of the blood.

Here's how Memphis coach Josh Pastner detailed the sequence after the game, per Rob Dauster of College Basketball Talk:

"

He put that towel into his mouth, and that thing was soaked with blood and his teeth were all screwed up, all over the place – [trainer] Brad [Anderson]’s having him see the doctor – and then the ref said, "you need to get someone else in." And I said, "Baloney, he's fine." So then Ricky took a big gulp, just drank all his blood, licked his lips and he said he's fine.

"

Now that's a veteran move by the senior.

After swallowing his own blood, Tarrant went to the line and knocked down both free throws to give his team the lead (and ultimately the win). There's no questioning his toughness after this game. 

Tarrant finished the Tigers' 67-65 victory with 13 points and six rebounds.

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