Memphis Tigers Outlast Wichita State Shockers in High-Stakes Quarterfinal

In a closely contested American Athletic quarterfinal at Dickies Arena, the Memphis Tigers edged out the Wichita State Shockers with an 83-80 victory. This intense matchup saw both teams fighting tooth and nail, but it was the Tigers who ultimately secured their place in the next round. The win improved Memphis's record, showcasing their resilience and skill on a neutral court.

Key Performances Shape the Outcome

The game was a showcase of talent and determination from both sides. For the Memphis Tigers, standout performances were pivotal in clinching the win. PJ Haggerty's incredible scoring spree led all players with 42 points, complemented by his 9 rebounds and 4 assists. His shooting accuracy was remarkable, hitting 64 percent of his field goals and an impressive 91 percent from the free-throw line.

Defensively, Moussa Cisse made his presence felt with a block and a steal while grabbing four rebounds. Dain Dainja also contributed significantly to Memphis's success with 18 points, five rebounds, and three blocks, demonstrating both offensive prowess and defensive capabilities.

Shockers' Effort Falls Short

Despite falling short in this high-stakes game, Wichita State put up a formidable fight against Memphis. Their effort was highlighted by converting 42 percent of their field goals and making ten three-pointers at a similar percentage rate. The Shockers also capitalized on turnovers scoring 19 points off them but struggled to contain Memphis's fast breaks which resulted in 27 points for the Tigers.

Wichita State showed resilience throughout the game; however, they could not overcome Memphis’s aggressive playstyle that led to more opportunities at the rim where they scored a significant portion of their points.

As fans look forward to seeing how far this victory takes them in Conference Tournaments this season remember to share your thoughts on social media about this electrifying quarterfinal match-up between two competitive teams striving for glory on college basketball’s big stage.