PJ Haggerty scored 10 points in the final minute to extend Memphis’ American Athletic Conference Tournament run with a 78-77 win over Tulane in the semifinal game in Ft. Worth, Texas on Saturday, March 16.
The Tigers will square off against #3 Alabama-Birmingham in the AAC championship game tomorrow at 2 p.m. After the game, they will learn their NCAA Tournament seeding.
“It feels great to be in it. We have been in it a lot since I have been here. I have been here long enough to understand how it works. It is a blessing to be back here. Anytime you can put yourself in a position to play for a championship, that is good. That’s another short-term goal for us,” said Memphis coach Penny Hardaway.
The flurry of points in the final minute pushed Haggerty into double figures. Most came at the free-throw line, where the reigning AAC Player of the Year hit 8-8 in the final :40 seconds of play.
Haggerty finished with 18 points, including 14-14 from the line. He also had nine rebounds and five assists. The last minute output saved a lackluster offensive game for the nation’s third leading scorer. The sophomore transfer from Tulsa only hit 2-13 from the field, including 0-5 from deep.
Haggerty averages 21.9 points per game this season. He rose two places in the points per game raking after scoring 42 points against Wichita State in the quarterfinal.
With his shot not falling from outside, Haggerty muscled through defense for a layup with 1:03 left to give the Tigers a 70-69 lead. The Green Wave quickly responded on the other end, with a layup from sophomore guard Rowan Brumbaugh.
A foul by Tulane’s Asher Williams on the following possession sent Haggerty to the line, where he sank both attempts.
After a Moussa Cisse block sent the ball out of bounds on the next play, the Green Wave regained possession. However, Haggerty sank their hopes when he stole the ball with :20 seconds left.
Staring at a 72-71 deficit, the Green Wave were forced to foul. A missed free-throw by Brumbaugh with :13 seconds left proved critical. The misfire allowed the Tigers to build a two possession lead, 76-72, during Haggerty’s next trip to the line. Haggerty was perfect from the charity stripe on the Tigers’ next three possessions.
A dunk by Tulane’s Greg Glenn III and a Brumbaugh three-point shot as time expired narrowed the margin, but couldn’t make up the difference.
Haggerty wasn’t alone. As a team, Memphis shot 25-65 from the field for 38.5%. Their troubles extended to the three-point line, where they sank 5-23 for a dismal 21.3%. The Green Wave faired slightly better by hitting 27-60 for 45%, including 9-29 from deep for 31%.
Memphis used its size inside to make up the difference. As a team, the Tigers outworked the Green Wave on the boards 47-34. Twenty-two offensive rebounds also led to numerous extra attempts at the basket.
AAC Newcomer of the Year Dain Dainja grabbed 11 rebounds, including six on the offensive boards. The senior center also provided steady offense while Haggerty struggled with this shot. Dainja led all scorers with 23 points on 10-15 shooting. Conversely, Dainja struggled from the free throw line, hitting only 3-13 opportunities.
“Tulane had a great plan going and took us to the wire. To my guys, I am proud of them. We hit adversity today. Dain did a great job today, except for his free throws. He has never shot that bad before. What a game from him,” said Hardaway.
Along with his coach’s praise, Dainja was named the ESPN Player of the Game.
Moussa Cisse also came up big in reserve, adding a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
“It relieves me a lot. Dain was killing it and we kept feeding him the ball inside. Moussa had some big-time plays both on offense and defense. That is what our team is built upon. We play hard down the stretch and stay focus,” complimented Haggarty.
Brumbaugh led the Green Wave with 22 points. The transfer from Notre Dame also had five rebounds and three steals. Freshman guard Kam Williams scored 16 points, including 3-5 from deep. His eight rebounds was also a team-best. Woods chipped in 15 points and Glenn added 12 points and a game-high seven assists.
Tulane committed 27 fouls in the game. Memphis committed 17 infractions. The Green Wave are 0-5 in AAC semifinals games. They finished fourth in the AAC regular season standings with a 12-6 record.
Memphis won the regular season crown with a 16-2 record.
