RECAP: Memphis upsets No. 16 Clemson

Memphis basketball avenged its loss to Arkansas State on Saturday.

The Tigers (8-2) defeated No. 16 Clemson in overtime 87-82 inside Littlejohn Coliseum. This is Memphis’ fourth Quad 1 win in its first 10 games. Its others came against No. 18 UConn, No. 21 Michigan State and San Francisco.

Penny Hardaway and Co. can get up to six with matchups against No. 25 Mississippi State (Dec. 21) and No. 19 Ole Miss (Dec. 28) inside FedExForum. Memphis next plays at Virginia on Wednesday (6 p.m., ESPN2).

Memphis shot 52% from the field and 48% from 3-point range. It also outrebounded Clemson 34-33 while recording 17 assists, 13 forced turnovers, 10 offensive boards, 7 steals and 5 blocks. Hardaway’s club scored 26 points in the paint, 21 points off turnovers and 18 points in the paint, and led the contest for 33 minutes and 28 seconds despite 12 lead changes taking place.

Brad Brownell’s team (9-2) shot 45% overall and 32% on 3-pointers. It also accounted for 16 assists, 16 forced turnovers, 12 offensive rebounds, 6 steals and 3 blocks. Ian Schieffelin, the nation’s top rebounder, was held to just 6 boards against Memphis. Viktor Lahkin led Clemson with 11 rebounds and 23 points. Schieffelin and Chase Hunter also scored 17 points respectively.

Here are some takeaways from Memphis’ second overtime victory of the season.

Memphis gets out to fast start

The Tigers were ready to play from the opening tip, getting out to a 10-0 start and holding Clemson scoreless for the first five minutes and 44 seconds.

Colby Rogers finished the first half with 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Tyrese Hunter also stood out with 9 points and 3-of-4 perimeter shooting, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give Memphis a 33-32 lead at halftime. Memphis also edged Clemson on the defensive glass 15-10 and led for all but 25 seconds of the 20-minute period.

Hardaway’s team shot 50% overall and 44% from beyond the arc in the opening half.

Turnovers hinder Memphis

Memphis’ ball security—or lack thereof—prevented it from stretching out its hot start.

The Tigers finished the first half with 8 turnovers, including 5 in the final 10 minutes and 19 seconds. Nick Jourdain led the team with 3 giveaways and Rogers was right behind him with 2.

Clemson took advantage by outscoring Memphis 32-23 to end the opening period after trailing 10-0.

Memphis prevails in overtime

Memphis began the second half with a 7-0 run and took an 8-point lead, only for Clemson to respond with a 14-5 run to move back in front by a point nearly seven minutes later.

Memphis then generated another 7-0 run and claimed a 6-point advantage at the 10:42 mark, and stretched the margin back to 8 with 8:21 on the clock. Clemson seemingly snatched Memphis’ momentum away permanently, however, with an 11-0 run in three minutes and 21 seconds.

Brownell’s club even led by 5 points with just over a minute left in regulation, but a Rogers 3-pointer and a fastbreak layup by Dain Dainja sent the game to overtime. Hunter ultimately led Memphis to victory with 8 overtime points on 2-for-3 perimeter shooting. Rogers, Dainja and PJ Haggerty also scored for Memphis in the extra period.

Hunter finished with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a block and a steal while shooting 57% overall and 7-for-11 from 3-point range. Rogers fell right behind him with 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting. Haggerty also made his mark with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. All three guards played at least 40 minutes.

Memphis’ frontcourt stepped up too. Dainja notched 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Jourdain compiled 9 points and 5 rebounds, while Moussa Cisse racked up 8 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks despite fouling out in the second half.