LAS VEGAS — The Memphis Tigers move to 2-0 on the season after a gutsy come from behind 80-74 win over the UNLV Rebels on Saturday at the Thomas Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Just like Monday's season opener win over Missouri, the Tigers struggled in the first half, shooting just 32.1% from the floor which saw them trail by as many as 12 points in the first half.
The Tigers closed that gap to just four by halftime and came out playing like a completely different team in the second half, shooting at a whopping 71.4% to outscore UNLV by 10 and win by 6.
Memphis regained the lead back for the first time with 6:07 left in the game when Nicholas Jourdain found Dain Dainja for an emphatic dunk.
PJ Haggerty once again led the resurgence from the Tigers, scoring a game-high 29 points on 10-of-18 including several crucial buckets down the stretch.
Colby Rogers (16) and Jourdain (12) also scored in double digits. Rogers had a pair of triples as well as 7 rebounds and 2 assists while 11 of Jourdain's points came in the second half as he shot 5-of-5.
Tyrese Hunter and Dainja also had nine points, Dainja also led the Tigers with 11 rebounds and had 4 assists to finish just short of a double-double.
It marks the Tigers first win over the Runnin' Rebels since 1970.
Memphis return home on Friday, Nov. 15 for a 7 p.m. tipoff against Ohio inside FedExForum. Coverage of the game can be found on ESPN+.
