PJ Haggerty powers No. 16 Memphis to win over La. Tech

Field Level Media|published: Wed 4th December, 22:37 2024

Memphis' head coach Penny Hardaway speaks to players and coaches on the bench during the game between the University of Memphis and Missouri at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Monday, November 4, 2024.

PJ Haggerty produced 23 points, seven steals, six assists and five rebounds as No. 16 Memphis held off visiting Louisiana Tech 81-71 on Wednesday night.

Tyrese Hunter added 20 points and Colby Rogers scored 13 points for the Tigers (7-1), who bounced back from their first loss of the season, 90-76 against then No. 4 Auburn in the championship game of the Maui Invitational on Nov. 27.

Al Green scored 18 points, making 5 of 7 3-point attempts, Sean Newman Jr. had 13 points and 11 assists, Daniel Batchco scored 12, and Kaden Cooper and Amaree Abram added 10 points each to lead Louisiana Tech (7-2).

Moussa Cisse's basket started the second-half scoring and gave Memphis a 39-38 lead, the first of five lead changes before Hunter's layup gave the Tigers a three-point lead with 16:39 to go.

Cooper's basket trimmed the margin to one before Haggerty had a field goal and a 3-pointer in a 7-2 run that expanded the lead to 54-47. Green made a 3-pointer, but Hunter's 3-pointer completed a subsequent 7-0 Memphis surge that increased the lead to 61-50.

Newman scored six points and Abram added four during a 13-2 run that pulled Louisiana Tech into a 63-all tie with 7:08 to go.

Haggerty broke the tie by making two free throws that started a 9-0 run, but the Bulldogs closed within five before Hunter made a layup and Rogers added a 3-pointer with 55 seconds left.

Haggerty sank a jumper to start the scoring and three teammates added points as the Tigers opened a 7-0 lead. Batchco made a layup for the Bulldogs' first points and Green followed with a 3-pointer that trimmed the margin to two points.

Memphis increased the lead to seven points before Cooper, Green and Jordan Crawford each made a 3-pointer to get Louisiana Tech within two points.

The Tigers scored six straight points to take a 26-18 lead, and they were up by eight again before Green scored eight points during a 15-5 run that gave the Bulldogs a 35-33 lead.

Haggerty made two free throws to tie the score, but Abram answered with a 3-pointer before Hunter's jumper pulled Memphis within 38-37 entering halftime.

--Field Level Media

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