University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
8-2,0-0AAC
#13/11 Clemson
9-1,1-0ACC
Memphis Takes Down Previously Undefeated No. 13 Clemson
Dec 16, 2023 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis men's basketball team defeated previously undefeated and 13th-ranked Clemson, 79-77, Saturday afternoon in a "White Out" at FedExForum in Memphis.
Memphis (8-2) extended its win-streak to three games in front of 15,052 raucous fans and picked up its fifth Power Five win of the season, three of which have come against a ranked opponent.
Four Tigers were in double figures, led by David Jones' 22 points on 6-of-14 shooting. Jahvon Quinerly added 17 points to go along with a team-high six assists and three steals. Nicholas Jourdain connected on 5-of-6 field goals en route to 11 points and a team-high two blocks.
Jaykwon Walton made several big plays and finished with 10 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
Memphis trailed by seven at the break, 39-32, but a swift 13-1 run just four-and-a-half minutes into the second half put the Tigers in front 45-42. Clemson showed toughness and over the next four minutes, outscored Memphis 15-7 to go back in front by five.
Following a Jayhlon Young layup at the 7:59 mark that put the Tigers back in front 62-61, Memphis never trailed the rest of the way. The Bluff City Tigers allowed the game to be closer than it should after missing six free throws in the final two-and-a-half minutes.
Walton stepped up and nailed both of his shots at the charity stripe with 13 seconds on the clock to put Memphis in front 79-76. Coach Penny Hardaway made the decision to foul late and it paid off as Clemson was forced to get a tip-in with one second to play. Clemson missed its final attempt and Malcolm Dandridge came down with the game-clinching rebound.
Memphis shot 43.3 percent from the field (29-67), made 73.9 percent of its free throws (17-23) and dished out 12 assists while swiping nine steals.
No. 13 Clemson (9-1) led by as many as 10 points late in the first half, but Memphis forced them into a number of costly turnovers that ended up being the difference in the game. The visiting Tigers shot 49.2 percent overall (30-61) but converted on just 30.4 percent from deep (7-23) and 66.7 percent from the line (10-15).
PJ Hall led Clemson with 21 points and three blocks, but coughed up the rock a season-high five times. Ian Schieffelin grabbed a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Chauncey Wiggins added 19 points and seven boards.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Memphis used the starting lineup of Jahvon Quinerly, David Jones, Ashton Hardaway, Nicholas Jourdain and Malcolm Dandridge for the third-straight game.
- The Tigers are 3-0 in that stretch.
- Over the last two seasons, Memphis is 11-2 against Power Five opponents.
- Saturday's victory was the first against a ranked nonconference opponent since taking down No. 6 Alabama on Dec. 14, 2021.
- Jones notched his fourth-consecutive game with 20-plus points and his sixth of the season. He added six rebounds, a pair of assists and two blocks.
- Quinerly recorded his fourth-straight game with at least five assists. He's now reached double figures in three games in a row and in six games total this season.
- Memphis scored 17 points off 15 Clemson turnovers, while turning the ball over just six times itself.
- The six miscues are the fewest in a game since coughing it up just five times against Gonzaga on March 19, 2022 in the NCAA Tournament.
- Memphis drew 14 second-half fouls and went 13-for-19 from the stripe in the last 20 minutes.
- The Tigers connected on their first 12 free throws of the game and missed all six of their misses came in the final two-and-a-half minutes.
- Memphis scored 44 points in the paint, making it the fourth time this season they've reached 40 in the paint.
- There were nine lead changes and six times when the score was tied.
UP NEXT
Memphis gets a short break before hosting No. 22 Virginia to FedExForum on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
Fans can get tickets for that matchup HERE.
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.
