Feb 26, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Tigers ahead Dain Dainja (42) shoots in opposition to Rice Owls ahead Jimmy Oladokun, Jr. (24) through the first half at FedExForum. Obligatory Credit score: Wesley Hale-Imagn Photographs Dain Dainja had sport highs of 25 factors and 10 rebounds as No. 18 Memphis pulled away within the final two minutes for an 84-72 American Athletic Convention win over visiting Rice on Wednesday evening.
PJ Haggerty added 21 factors and 5 assists for the Tigers (23-5, 13-2 AAC), whereas Nicholas Jourdain contributed 19 factors and 9 rebounds. Memphis shot 49.2 p.c from the sector in securing a season sweep of the Owls.
Caden Powell scored 19 factors to steer 4 gamers in double figures for Rice (13-16, 4-12). Denver Anglin added 14 factors, Andrew Akuchie had 12 and Kellen Amos got here off the bench for 11.
Regardless of making solely 41.4 p.c from the sector, the Owls had a legit likelihood to tug the upset after Powell’s dunk tied the rating at 70 with 3:51 left. They even obtained a cease and had possession with a chance to take the lead.
However a steal by Colby Rogers led to Tyrese Hunter’s quick jumper on the 2:39 mark. The bucket ignited a game-ending 14-2 run.
One pregame storyline was whether or not Memphis may push its convention result in 1 1/2 video games over idle North Texas and UAB. In the meantime, Rice was attempting to construct on a 71-50 win over Tulsa on Saturday that snapped a four-game shedding streak.
It was all Tigers within the first 5 minutes as they established Dainja for seven fast factors and a 13-3 lead. The margin was 12 when Rogers made two free throws on the 11:28 mark, and it appeared Memphis would have a straightforward sport.
However the Owls hit them with a 12-2 run to tug inside 23-21 on Powell’s layup with 8:04 remaining. Memphis restored a nine-point benefit on two events earlier than settling for a 39-32 cushion on the break on a free throw by Haggerty with 5 seconds left.
–Area Stage Media
