LAS VEGAS – The University of Memphis men’s basketball team continued their promising start to the season, moving to an impressive 2-0 record following a hard-fought road victory against UNLV, edging them out 80-74 at the Thomas Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday evening.
Leading the charge for the Tigers was redshirt-sophomore guard PJ Haggerty, who delivered a standout performance with a game-high 29 points on an efficient shooting night, hitting 10 of 18 attempts from the floor. Haggerty was also instrumental in the clutch moments, converting 9 of 12 free throw attempts, while contributing three assists and grabbing three rebounds.
Memphis faced adversity, having trailed by as many as 12 points late in the first half. As they entered halftime, the Tigers found themselves down by four points. However, they showcased their resilience by outscoring UNLV by 10 points in the second half, aided by an impressive shooting percentage of 71.4% that ultimately secured their six-point road victory.
Senior forward Nicholas Jourdain added to the Tigers’ offensive assault with a solid performance, scoring 12 points, including an 11-point surge in the second half, while boasting a perfect shooting record of 5-of-5 for the game. Redshirt-senior guard Colby Rogers also played a pivotal role, contributing a pair of three-pointers towards a total of 16 points, supplemented by seven rebounds and two assists.
In a commendable effort, Tyrese Hunter and Dain Dainja both chipped in nine points. Dainja, who was a force on the boards, secured 11 rebounds and recorded four assists, narrowly missing out on a double-double.
The game kicked off on an exciting note with a slam dunk from Dainja followed by an easy layup from Haggerty, igniting the energy for the Memphis side.
Despite a sluggish start, UNLV found their rhythm mid-way through the first half, launching a 7-0 run that propelled them ahead 14-9 as the game approached the under 12-minute timeout. The Tigers regrouped and managed to level the score at 14, thanks to a well-placed jumper by Rogers from the wing. However, the Rebels surged to extend their lead to as much as 12 points.
Free throw shooting became crucial for Memphis to stay competitive as Dainja, Haggerty, and Rogers combined for six successful attempts from the line. Rogers cut the deficit to just two points with a layup just over a minute before halftime, bringing the score to 29-27.
As the game neared the end of the first half, despite a five-point spurt by UNLV, Rogers managed to drain a three-pointer at the buzzer, sending the Tigers into the locker room facing a 34-30 deficit.
The second half proved to be a different narrative; after being sidelined for much of the first half due to foul trouble, Jourdain came back with renewed energy, delivering two emphatic dunks and a crucial three-pointer from the corner that ignited the Memphis offense.
Freshman Baraka Okojie joined the offensive spree, draining a long-range shot from the same wing, bringing the Tigers within two points with 13:12 remaining in the half.
Throughout the second half, the teams exchanged leads, but a connection between Jourdain and Dainja put Memphis ahead for the first time since the opening minutes, with just over six minutes left on the clock.
Back-to-back baskets from Jourdain and Haggerty pushed the Tigers ahead 72-69 as they entered the final minutes of play. Hunter’s successful and-one play gave Memphis their largest advantage of the night, stretching the lead to six points with less than 90 seconds remaining.
In the closing moments, Haggerty secured the victory by knocking down two critical free throws within the final 15 seconds, ensuring a hard-earned 80-74 triumph.
Memphis will return to action at home on Friday, Nov. 15, with a 7 p.m. tip-off scheduled against Ohio inside the FedExForum. Fans can catch the game live on ESPN+.
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.
**Short Interview with PJ Haggerty, Guard for the University of Memphis Men’s Basketball Team**
**Interviewer:** PJ, congratulations on the impressive 80-74 victory over UNLV! Let’s start with your performance—29 points on efficient shooting. What was your mindset going into this game?
**PJ Haggerty:** Thanks! My mindset was really focused on playing for the team and doing what I could to help us win. I knew we had a tough opponent in UNLV, but I also felt confident in our preparation. I just tried to stay aggressive, find my spots, and take good shots.
**Interviewer:** You faced some adversity, trailing by as many as 12 points. How did the team manage to regroup at halftime and come out strong in the second half?
**PJ Haggerty:** It definitely wasn’t easy. We knew we had to push ourselves harder. We talked about staying resilient and not getting down on ourselves. The coaching staff reminded us of our strengths, and we just made it a point to play Memphis basketball in the second half. Everyone stepped up, and our defense improved, which allowed us to convert more on offense.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of stepping up, Nicholas Jourdain and Colby Rogers had crucial contributions. What do you think about the team chemistry and how everyone is beginning to gel?
**PJ Haggerty:** It’s been great! We’ve been practicing hard together, and it’s showing on the court. When guys step up like Nick and Colby did, it boosts everyone’s confidence. We trust each other, and that connection makes it easier to find the open man and create scoring opportunities.
**Interviewer:** You had a particularly impressive performance at the free-throw line. How important was that for the team, especially under pressure?
**PJ Haggerty:** Free throws are huge, especially in close games. We know that every point counts, so we focus on making those shots at the line. I felt calm and focused during those important moments, which helped us maintain our momentum down the stretch.
**Interviewer:** With this win, you’re now 2-0 on the season. What are your goals moving forward as the team continues to build on this strong start?
**PJ Haggerty:** Our main goal right now is to keep improving with each game. We want to build that winning mentality and stay healthy. We’ve got a lot of potential, and we want to take it one game at a time, but of course, we’re aiming high. The sky’s the limit for us if we keep working together!
**Interviewer:** Thanks for your time, PJ, and good luck for the rest of the season!
**PJ Haggerty:** Thank you! Appreciate it!
