Tigers Post 83-78 Win Over NC State

Thursday, November 28

Brooklyn, N.Y.

3 PM

University of Memphis

6-1,0-0AAC

NC State

5-2,0-1ACC

NC State

Memphis

Photo by: Nickson Descas

Nov 28, 2019 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Gamebook (UM 83, NCSU 78)

Ellis, Achiuwa, Harris lead Memphis to Thanksgiving victory in Brooklyn.

By: Phil Stukenborg

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Thanksgiving Day was more than a working holiday for the University of Memphis.

The 16th-ranked Tigers, earning what coach Penny Hardaway termed the best win in his two seasons, defeated North Carolina State, 83-78, Thursday at the Barclays Center by building a huge lead and surviving a comeback try by the Wolfpack.

Freshman guard Boogie Ellis led the Tigers with 21 points, while freshman forward Precious Achiuwa returned home to New York to post his third-straight double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore guard Tyler Harris added 14 key points, including a huge runner late in the game.

The Tigers shot 52 percent and out-rebounded NC State, 39-26,

"I couldn't be more proud of my team," Hardaway said. "We were well-prepared. After the Oregon game (a loss at Portland), we grew up. After the Ole Miss game (a win at home last week), we grew up. And today we grew up even more."

Leading by 16 at the half, the Tigers quickly built a 20-point advantage following a layup by Damion Baugh, a putback by Achiuwa and a 12-footer in the lane by D.J. Jeffries after a scramble for a loose ball. Jeffries' jumper made it 61-41.

N.C. State made its run shortly afterward trimming the Tigers' lead to seven points (67-60) with 8:50 to go on a three-point play by D.J. Funderburk.

An Isaiah Maurice 3-pointer gave the Tigers a 70-60 lead with 8:33 left, but N.C. State kept chipping away. It was 74-71 with 4:30 left after two free throws by Jericole Hellems.

But the Tigers closed strong.

Achiuwa scored on a pull-up jumper and Jeffries had an opportune follow to make it 79-72. With 38 seconds left, Harris drove into the lane, dropped in a floater and got fouled. He completed the three-point play for an 82-76 lead.

"I really believe in Tyler Harris," Hardaway said. "He was built for moments like this. He made a big basket down the stretch."

In the first half, the Tigers shot 63.3 percent and committed only three turnovers to take a 55-39 lead.

Memphis built a double-digit lead late in the half and led by 16 at the half when Alex Lomax drove in for a layup with seven seconds to go.

The Tigers made six of seven 3-pointers with Ellis and Harris making two apiece. Ellis had 17 points at the half and Lance Thomas came off the bench to contribute eight points and four rebounds in an effective 10 minutes.

N.C. State got 13 first-half points from Markell Johnson, who finished with a team-high 22. The Wolfpack had a six-point lead (15-9) early in the first half before the Tigers went on a 12-0 run, beginning with a Thomas follow and ending with three free throws from Ellis.

Memphis returns home Tuesday night to play Bradley at FedExForum. Tip-off is 8 p.m.

NOTES

Freshman forward D.J. Jeffries made his first start of the season.
Freshman forward Malcolm Dandridge made his first appearance of the season when he entered the game with 17:21 to go in the first half.
Tigers are now 18-1 when scoring 80 or more points in the Penny Hardaway era, including a 5-0 record in 2019-20.