The Memphis Tigers’ long-standing struggles at Devlin Fieldhouse have finally ended. No. 19 Memphis (17-4, 7-1 AAC) secured a 68-56 road victory over long-time conference rival Tulane (11-10, 5-3 AAC) on Thursday night, marking their first win in New Orleans since December 16, 2020.
The Tigers leaned on Dain Dainja, who continued to make a strong impact in his second consecutive start, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Colby Rogers and PJ Carter each contributed 14 points, while PJ Haggerty, the nation’s second-leading scorer, had a rare quiet night, tallying just eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Unlike their 88-81 loss to Temple, Memphis never allowed Tulane to fully control the game. The Tigers came out strong, jumping to an early 6-0 lead, but the Green Wave responded quickly, tying the game at 12-12.
At halftime, Memphis held a narrow 29-26 lead, thanks to a last-second Haggerty layup. The second half followed a back-and-forth pattern until Rogers drained two clutch three-pointers with 9:02 remaining, shifting the momentum firmly in Memphis’ favor. From then on, Tulane never regained its offensive rhythm, and the Tigers pulled away to secure their fourth consecutive conference victory.
With the win, Memphis remains tied for first place in the AAC with North Texas, which has won six straight since falling to the Tigers earlier this season.
Key Takeaways from Memphis’ Win Over Tulane
- Memphis Secured a Win Without a Big Night from Haggerty
PJ Haggerty has been Memphis’ offensive engine all season, but the Tigers proved they could win even when their top scorer struggles. Haggerty shot just 3-of-11 from the field and never found his rhythm offensively. However, the team’s depth and defensive intensity compensated for his off night.
- Defense Was the Difference
Memphis didn’t have an elite scoring performance, shooting just 44.4% from the field, but their defensive pressure overwhelmed Tulane—especially in the second half. The Tigers held the Green Wave to just 36% shooting overall, including a poor 4-of-20 (20%) from three-point range.
- PJ Carter’s Emergence Could Be a Game-Changer
PJ Carter’s 14 points off the bench were crucial in keeping Memphis ahead, and his scoring ability could be the extra offensive weapon the Tigers need. The UTSA transfer has shown flashes of his potential this season, but Thursday’s performance might signal a larger role in Penny Hardaway’s rotation moving forward.
- Dain Dainja Continues to Dominate in the Paint
With his second consecutive start, Dain Dainja delivered another strong performance. His 19 points and 10 rebounds provided a much-needed interior presence, and his ability to control the paint gave Memphis a major advantage over Tulane. If he continues this level of play, he could be the X-factor that helps Memphis separate from the rest of the AAC.
What’s Next for Memphis?
The Tigers will stay on the road for their next matchup, heading to Houston to face the Rice Owls on Sunday, February 2. Memphis must maintain its momentum and defensive intensity as it pursues an AAC regular-season title and a strong NCAA Tournament seeding.
With only 10 games remaining in the regular season, every win matters as Memphis looks to secure a top seed in the conference tournament and build its NCAA resume.
This was a statement road win for Memphis, proving they can grind out tough victories—even without a dominant performance from their leading scorer. If they continue to build on this defensive effort, the Tigers could be well on their way to a deep postseason run.
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