PJ Haggerty greets ex-Tulsa teammates with game-high 23-pts. photo by Don Mooney
by Don Mooney 2-6-2025
Memphis, TN—Memphis (19-4, 9-1 AAC) remained in sole possession of first place in the conference after picking up its sixth-straight victory and 10th win in the last 11 games. The main storyline prior to tipoff was Haggerty. It was his first game against Tulsa, where he played last season as a redshirt freshman and averaged 20.9 points per game.
Dain Dainja gets past Tulsa defense for easy two. photo by Don Mooney
Haggerty scored eight first-half points but Memphis couldn’t gain separation from the Golden Hurricane. The visitors led briefly on multiple occasions, the last time at the 4:31 mark on Garcia’s 3-pointer that made it 28-27. Center Dain Dainja matched his season-high with 21 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists. The big man also recorded season highs with four blocks and three steals. Senior guard Tyrese Hunter was the third Tiger in double figures with 11 points.
photo by Don Mooney
A tight game for longer than Memphis fans were likely hoping for, Penny Hardaway’s team began pushing away early in the second half. Leading 46-43, Haggerty knocked down a 3-pointer with 14:25 left, which was followed by a pair of Tyrese Hunter triples to put the Tigers up by double-digits.
The game started with back-and-forth action, but the Tigers managed to maintain the lead for the majority of the first half. The Golden Hurricane used a 7-0 run to take the lead with 4:31 left in the period.
Tigers center Moussa Cisse (32) defends basket againstTulsa forward. photo by Don Mooney
Sharpshooter PJ Carter picked up where he left off, draining back-to-back 3-pointers in the middle of a 10-2 Memphis run to put the Tigers back on top heading into the break, 39-34.
Tulsa pulled to within three on a layup just under the 15-minute mark of the second half, when the Tigers decided to crank up the pressure. Tulsa turned the ball over on three-straight possessions and Memphis responded with three-straight triples from Haggerty and Hunter to extend the advantage to 55-43.
Tyrese Hunter draws Tulsa defenders attention. photo by Don Mooney
Memphis was lights out the rest of the way, connecting on 10 of its final 15 shots to finish off the victory. The Tigers shot 62.1 percent after halftime, connecting on 18-of-29 shot attempts, including six 3-pointers. Tulsa was led by Tyshawn Archie’s 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting, while three other Golden Hurricanes scored 11.
Dain Dainja leads Tigers fast break matched his season high with 21-pts. photo by Don Mooney
UP NEXT
The Tigers will host Temple at 1 p.m. on Sunday in their first conference rematch of the season. Temple defeated Memphis 88-81 in Philadelphia earlier this season, its only AAC loss to this point.