PJ Haggerty has big 2nd half in No. 21 Memphis’ 64-62 victory at Virginia

PJ Haggerty has big 2nd half in No. 21 Memphis' 64-62 victory at Virginia | iNFOnews.ca
Memphis' Baraka Okojie looks to pass the ball by Virginia's Dai Dai Ames during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 in Charlottesville, Va. (Cal Cary/The Daily Progress via AP)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — PJ Haggerty scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half and No. 21 Memphis shook off a slow start to beat Virginia 64-62 on Wednesday night.

The Tigers (9-2) trailed 30-21 at halftime and took their first lead at 39-37 on a goaltending call in what became a 26-7 burst that gave them a 47-39 lead.

Tyrese Hunter and Dain Dainja scored 12 points each for the Tigers. Dainja had 11 rebounds.

Elijah Saunders scored 15 points and Taine Murray 14 for Virginia (6-5). The Cavaliers lost at home for the first time this season.

Takeaways

PJ Haggerty has big 2nd half in No. 21 Memphis' 64-62 victory at Virginia | iNFOnews.ca
Virginia’s Andrew Rohde and Memphis’ Dain Dainja wait for the rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 in Charlottesville, Va. (Cal Cary/The Daily Progress via AP)

Memphis: The Tigers turned up their defensive pressure in the second half, sparking their rally.

Virginia: The Cavaliers fell to 0-4 against ranked teams this season.

Key moment

Virginia closed to 57-53 on a basket by Isaac McKneely with 2:58 to play, but Haggerty pushed the lead back to 60-53 with a 3-pointer with 2:27 left. The Tigers were 5 for 22 from beyond the arc.

Key stat

PJ Haggerty has big 2nd half in No. 21 Memphis' 64-62 victory at Virginia | iNFOnews.ca
Memphis’ PJ Haggerty, right, drives to the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Virginia, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 in Charlottesville, Va. (Cal Cary/The Daily Progress via AP)

The Tigers scored just 21 points in the first half, but had 26 in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Up next

Memphis returns home to face Mississippi State on Saturday. Virginia Cavaliers remains at home to face American on Sunday.

PJ Haggerty has big 2nd half in No. 21 Memphis' 64-62 victory at Virginia | iNFOnews.ca
Memphis’ Dain Dainja (42) goes for a layup while Virginia’s Jacob Cofie plays defense during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 in Charlottesville, Va. (Cal Cary/The Daily Progress via AP)
PJ Haggerty has big 2nd half in No. 21 Memphis' 64-62 victory at Virginia | iNFOnews.ca
Memphis’ PJ Haggerty charges to the basket fouling Virginia’s Isaac McKneely during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 in Charlottesville, Va. (Cal Cary/The Daily Progress via AP)
PJ Haggerty has big 2nd half in No. 21 Memphis' 64-62 victory at Virginia | iNFOnews.ca
Memphis’ Nicholas Jourdain drives to the basket against Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 in Charlottesville, Va. (Cal Cary/The Daily Progress via AP)
PJ Haggerty has big 2nd half in No. 21 Memphis' 64-62 victory at Virginia | iNFOnews.ca
Virginia’s Jacob Cofie is introduced prior to the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Memphis, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 in Charlottesville, Va. (Cal Cary/The Daily Progress via AP)
PJ Haggerty has big 2nd half in No. 21 Memphis' 64-62 victory at Virginia | iNFOnews.ca
Virginia’s interim head coach, Ron Sanchez, watches the game from the bench during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Memphis, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 in Charlottesville, Va. (Cal Cary/The Daily Progress via AP)

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