Previously Undefeated Clemson Taken Down by Memphis
By Khala Hoyle
MEMPHIS, TN. – Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers took down the previously undefeated No. 13 Clemson Tigers, 79-77.
The highly anticipated match-up of the season packed out the FedExForum on Saturday, Dec. 16 with 15,052 fans in attendance, which seemingly felt like standing room only. Memphis (8–2) is now on a three game win-streak after previously losing to Villanova and Ole Miss. Beating Clemson marks the Memphis Tigers’ fifth win against a Power Five team.
Clemson put up the first few points in this game, as Memphis has a slow start in putting a score onto the board. However, that did not last very long at all. It became a back and forth battle to create an exciting and chilling atmosphere in the building. Multiple Tigers went double digits to push the bar high. David Jones scored 22 points (6-14 shooting). Jahvon Quinerly (17), Nick Jourdain (11), and Jaykwon Walton (10) all made huge impacts with Jones to help pull off an incredible win. Quinerly reprogrammed his game and took on the leadership role to help set the tone of the game.
Beginning the second half, Memphis had been down by seven but the turnaround was fast in a 13-1 run after just a few minutes in. After a back and forth game of cat and mouse, Jayhlon Young would score two points (layup) that would place the Tigers in the lead, 62-61, and they would no longer trail for the remainder of the game. It would be a close call after Memphis would miss six free-throws. Memphis shot 43.3 percent from the field (29-67), made 73.9 percent of its free throws (17-23) and delivered 12 assists with nine steals.
Saturday’s victory was the first against a ranked non-conference opponent since taking down No. 6 Alabama on Dec. 14, 2021. Memphis will host No. 22 Virginia at the FedEx Forum on Tuesday night, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
