Ex-Tulsa guard PJ Haggerty leads No. 17 Memphis to win

Field Level Media|published: Wed 5th February, 22:32 2025

Feb 5, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Tigers guard PJ Haggerty (4) handles the ball against Tulsa Golden Hurricane guard Braeden Carrington (4) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

PJ Haggerty scored a game-high 23 points Wednesday night and No. 17 Memphis stayed atop the American Athletic Conference with an 83-71 win over visiting Tulsa.

Dain Dainja stuffed the stat sheet for the Tigers (19-4, 9-1) with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, four blocked shots and three steals. Tyrese Hunter added 11 points as Memphis canned 56.7 percent from the field, including 9 of 21 on 3-pointers, and drew 20 assists in its sixth straight win.

Tyshawn Archie came off the bench to score 17 points for the Golden Hurricane (9-14, 3-7). Dwon Odom, Isaiah Barnes and reserve Jared Garcia each added 11 as Tulsa converted 53.6 percent of its field goals in one of its better shooting performances of the season.

But the Golden Hurricane simply couldn't get stops, particularly after they drew within 60-51 when Odom got a layup via goaltending with 10:35 left. In The Tigers responded by canning three straight 3-pointers in a 69-second span and pushed the lead to 19 down the stretch.

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.

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.

But the Tigers turned it around and got to halftime with a 39-34 advantage.

--Field Level Media