No. 17 Memphis Gets Revenge Over Temple

Sunday, February 9

Memphis, Tenn.

1:00 PM

University of Memphis

20-4,10-1AAC

Temple

14-10,6-5AAC

Temple

Memphis

Photo by: Zach Wall

Feb 09, 2025 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The No. 17 University of Memphis men's basketball team got its revenge over Temple, 90-82, Sunday afternoon inside the FedExForum to keep the Tigers on top of the American Athletic Conference.

The Tigers have now on seven-straight games (11 of their last 12), while improving to 20-4 overall and 10-1 in league play.

The Tigers shot 56.1 percent for the game, led by guard PJ Haggerty's 20 points. He also added seven assists, two rebounds, a pair of steals and a block.

Memphis' bigs dominated in the paint, all scoring in double figures. Center Dain Dainja was unstoppable, recording 18 points and eight rebounds. Nicholas Jourdain contributed 11 points and Moussa Cisse recorded 10 points, six rebounds, and three steals.

Getting his first start in a Tiger uniform, guard Dante Harris scored a season-high 14 points with three rebounds, two steals and an assist in 29 minutes. Tyrese Hunter was scratched minutes before the game and is considered day-to-day with a knee injury.

The first half started in a contested battle, with both teams trading baskets back-and-forth. With less than two minutes left in the half, the Tigers went on a 7-0 run to go up five points. However, the Owls responded quickly to even the score at 35 going into the break.

The Tigers finally caught fire a couple minutes into the second half. Down 42-40, Harris scored on a driving layup, then ran to midcourt and stole the ball from Temple, before Dainja and Haggerty converted on back-to-back trips to give Memphis a 7-0 run and the lead.

Memphis went on to make 16-of-19 shots from 18:17 in the second half to the 4:33 mark, including eight straight and six straight, respectively. The spurt gave the Tigers a 17-point turnaround that saw them go in front 79-64 after a step-back triple from Haggerty.

Temple cut the deficit to six in the final minute, but Memphis withstood the run to win 90-82.

Memphis shot 65.4 percent in the second half and connected on 6-of-9 from long distance to outscore the Owls, 55-47.

Temple, playing without the No. 2 scorer in the country in Jamal Mashburn Jr., was led by 18 points from Alden Tobiason and 17 from Steve Settle

POSTGAME NOTES

Memphis used the starting lineup of PJ Haggerty, Dante Harris, Colby Rogers, Nicholas Jourdain and Dain Dainja for the first time this season.
- It's the third different lineup for the Tigers this season.
The Tigers are 10-2 at home this season.
- With the win, Memphis has now won 11-consecutive home games against AAC opponents.
Memphis extended is lead in the all-time series to 16-12 and have now won seven of the last eight against Temple.
Memphis is 78-11 under Hardaway when reaching 80 points in a game.
The Tigers were tied at the half (35-35) for only the second time this season.
- The previous was against UConn (40-40) and they won.
  - There were seven ties and 10 lead changes the first 20 minutes.
Memphis' defense smothered Temple, forcing 16 turnovers, 10 steals and five blocks.
The Tigers made double-digit free throws for the first time in four games, finishing 18-of-25.
- Memphis didn't make fewer than 11 free throws in any of the first 18 games this season, but have connected on single digit makes in four of the last six since.
All seven Tigers who scored in the game, finished with at least eight points.
- Five were in double figures.
Memphis has recorded 98 assists in the last five games, compared to 61 turnovers.
- The Tigers only coughed the ball up twice in the second half, after totaling 11 before the break.
Memphis shot 56.1 percent overall (32-57) in the win, and 42.1 percent from three (8-19).
- It's the 11^th time this season Memphis has shot over 50% in a game, including in four of the last five.
  - Memphis improved to 61-3 under Penny Hardaway when shooting 50% in a game, including 40-0 at home.
The Tigers have hit at least eight triples in 13 games this season, including in each of the last five contests.
Dain Dainja put up 18 points and a game-high eight rebounds in 30 minutes.
- The big man was 5-of-7 shooting overall and tied his career high draining 8-of-10 at the free throw line.
  - He's averaging 17.0 points over the last five games since being inserted back into the starting lineup.
    - Five of his eight rebounds were on the offensive end.
PJ Haggerty recorded a game-high 20 points with seven assists, two rebounds and two steals
- He recorded his 16^th game of the year with 20 or more points. He was 8-of-15 from the floor and hit 2-of-4 from long range.
  - Haggerty scored 14 of his points after halftime.
Dante Harris drew his first start as a Tiger and easily had his best game of the season with 14 points, three rebounds and two steals.
- It's his most points since March 5, 2022 when he was with Georgetown.
  - He was 6-of-8 from the field and 2-of-4 at the stripe.
Nicholas Jourdain was also in double figures with 11 points, three assists and two rebounds in 24 minutes.
Colby Rogers added nine points on a team-high three 3-pointers, while also matching his season high with three steals.
Moussa Cisse reached double figures for just the third time this season with 10 points (3-of-3 FG).
- He also grabbed six rebounds and three steals.
PJ Carter added eight points and two dimes in 23 minutes off the bench.
- He connected on two 3-pointers, giving him 15 made in his last five games.
Tyrese Hunter missed the first game of his career after starting 129 straight entering Sunday.

UP NEXT
The Tigers go back on the road next week for a pair of contests. They will travel to Tampa to play reigning AAC regular season champion South Florida on Thursday (Feb. 13) at 8 p.m. CT.

They will then have a quick turnaround before heading to Wichita State for an 11 a.m. tip on Sunday.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.