Led by guard PJ Haggerty’s 27 points, Memphis beat persistent conference foe North Texas Mean Green at their own game 68-64 at the FedEx Forum on Sunday, Jan. 5.
True to the game plan, North Texas took Memphis out of their desired up-tempo play. Both teams settled for half court play and hard-nosed defense. Nevertheless, the pedestrian speed of the game didn’t lead to a lapse in focus against a lesser opponent.
“In this era there is some complacency and entitlement. You have to put your foot down, because they think it will be easy. We can foresee what is going to happen,” said Memphis Coach Penny Hardaway.
The Tigers coach has held his players to a higher standard, elevated by reprimands, after a being stunned by Mississippi St. 79-66 at the Forum on Dec. 21.
Memphis is ranked 21 in the latest AP polls.
Time and again Haggerty answered the call, including what would effectively be the game winning shot. The sophomore sank a 30-ft desperation heave, after Dain Dianja kicked the ball out with the shot clock about to expire. The three gave the Tigers a 64-68 lead with 2:16 remaining. It also effectively put the game out of reach for the Mean Green.
The Mean Green attempted a rally, after a Moulaye Sissoko dunk with 14.5 seconds left narrowed the margin to 66-64. During the next possession, a foul led to a pair of Colby Rogers free throws that iced the game for the Tigers.
Haggerty scored 17 of his points in the second half. He shot 11-14 from the field for the game, including all three attempts from beyond the arc. He also converted three steals into layups.
The three guard combo of Haggerty, Hunter and Colby Rogers all played 38 minutes for the game. Rogers scored nine points.
Dianja chipped in 14 points off the bench. The senior forward hit five out of six from the field. Fellow senior Tyrese Hunter had 12 points, six rebounds and three steals.
“I’m a competitor. No one is going to guard me. It doesn’t matter to me. I am always going to score. There is a lot of things I can grow on from today.”
North Texas dropped an early lead to end the first half 33-32. A pair of Sissoko layups sparked a 6-0 run to start the second half. However, with 12:21 left in the half the Tigers had built a 50-43 lead.
Sissoko hit seven of eight shots for 17 points. The senior forward also grabbed eight rebounds. Jasper Floyd and Rondel Walker, both senior guards, scored 11 points and 10 points respectively.
Memphis improves to 12-3, 2-0 American Athletic Conference, while North Texas falls to 10-4, 1-1.
The Tigers host the East Carolina Panthers at the FedEx Forum on Saturday, Jan. 12. Tipoff is at 1 p.m.
