FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — PJ Haggerty made eight free throws and forced a huge turnover in the final 40 seconds as 16th-ranked Memphis beat Tulane 78-77 on Saturday to advance to the American Athletic Conference Tournament championship game.
With the win, the Tigers (28-5) will play the winner of North Texas and UAB in the final on Sunday, March 16 at 3:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. CT on ESPN and ESPN+.
Haggerty, The American player of the year, put the Tigers ahead to stay with two free throws that made it 72-71 with 40 seconds left. He finished with 18 points, going 14 for 14 at the line and 2 of 13 from the field a day after his 42 points matched an American Championship record.
Dain Dainja had 23 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis, and Moussa Cisse had 10 points and 11 boards.
Rowan Brumbaugh had 22 points for Tulane (19-14), which had five players score in double figures.
After Haggerty’s go-ahead free throws, Brumbaugh drove for a layup that was pinned against the backboard by Cisse. Referees initially ruled it was interference and counted the basket, but changed the call after a long review.
Tulane kept possession with 26 seconds left, but Haggerty then poked the ball away from Brumbaugh, diving over him to grab the ball and call timeout. Haggerty made six free throws after that.
Brumbaugh swished a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Kam Williams had 16 points for Tulane, and Asher Woods finished with 15.
2025 American Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule
(All Rounds Except First Round Played at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas
First Round | Wednesday, March 12 | Super Pit in Denton, Texas
Game 1: No. 13 Charlotte 64, No. 12 Rice 61 Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Second Round | Thursday, March 13
Game 2: No. 8 Wichita State 73, South Florida 68 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 3: No. 5 Florida Atlantic 64, Charlotte 59 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 4: No. 10 Tulsa 75, No. 7 Temple 71 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 5: No. 6 East Carolina, 70, No. 11 UTSA 65 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Quarterfinals | Friday, March 14
Game 6: No. 1 Memphis 83, No. 8 Wichita State 80 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 7: No. 4 Tulane 83, No. 5 Florida Atlantic 76 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 8: No. 2 North Texas 77, No. 10 Tulsa 59 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Game 9: No. 3 UAB 94, No. 6 East Carolina 77 | Box Score | Postgame Notes | Highlights
Semifinals | Saturday, March 15
Game 10: No. 1 Memphis 78, No. 4 Tulane 77
Game 11: No. 3 UAB vs. No. 2 North Texas | 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT | ESPN2 and ESPN+
Final | Sunday, March 16
Game 12: Game 11 Winner vs. No. 1 Memphis | 3:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. CT | ESPN and ESPN+
