MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In a competitive matchup on Sunday night, PJ Haggerty shined with 27 points, guiding No. 21 Memphis to a 68-64 victory over a gritty North Texas team.
Haggerty displayed remarkable shooting skills, making 11 out of 14 attempts from the floor, including a flawless start where he hit his first seven shots. Dain Dainja also contributed significantly for Memphis (12-3, 2-0 in the American Athletic Conference) with 14 points, missing only one of his six attempts, marking the team’s fifth win in their last six outings.
Leading the way for North Texas (10-4, 1-1) was Brenen Lorient, who recorded 18 points, while Moulaye Sissoko added 17 points and secured eight rebounds with an impressive 7 of 8 shooting performance. This game ended North Texas’s four-game winning streak.
The contest was tightly contested from the outset, with neither team able to establish a significant lead, resulting in four ties and six lead changes throughout the game. Late in the match, Memphis’s defense intensified, forcing North Texas into making 16 turnovers, a critical factor in the game’s outcome.
For North Texas, the game was significant as they sought their first road victory against a ranked opponent since February 27, 1971, while the team holds a challenging overall record of 6-101 against AP Top 25 teams.
For Memphis, the recent return to the rankings was bolstered by a substantial 90-62 win over Florida Atlantic in their conference opener. However, throughout this game, they struggled to establish any sizeable advantage.
A pivotal moment occurred with only 2:15 left in the game when Haggerty launched a long-range shot from approximately 30 feet as the shot clock was expiring. His successful basket pushed Memphis ahead 64-58.
A noteworthy statistic from the game highlighted the rebounding advantage for North Texas, who secured 30 rebounds compared to Memphis’s 21, including 12 offensive boards, showcasing their prowess on the glass.
Looking ahead, North Texas will host Rice on Wednesday evening, while Memphis is set to welcome East Carolina on Saturday night.
