Wave Drops Heartbreaker to #16 Memphis in AAC Semifinals

Saturday, March 15

Fort Worth, TX

2 p.m.

Tulane University

19-14,12-6AAC

No. 1 Memphis

28-5,16-2AAC

Tulane

Memphis

Wave Drops Heartbreaker to #16 Memphis in AAC Semifinals

Mar 15, 2025 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

FORT WORTH, Texas – Tulane men's basketball (19-14) saw its American Athletic Conference Championship run fall short in heartbreaking fashion falling 77-78 to the top seed #16 Memphis (28-5) in the semifinals on Saturday. The Green Wave battled to erase a seven-point deficit in the second half to hold the lead in the final minutes, but the free throw line allowed the Tigers to hold on over the Wave.

Tulane shot a better percentage than Memphis from the floor (45.0-38.5), beyond the arc (31.0-21.7), and the free throw stripe (66.7-60.5). However, the Tigers shot 38 free throws to just 21 for the Green Wave which proved to be a crucial difference in the contest.

The Wave finished with five players in double figures in scoring led by Rowan Brumbaugh who tallied a team-high 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the floor. Brumbaugh also recorded five rebounds and three steals while posting his 29th consecutive game with at least 10 points.

Kam Williams and Asher Woods followed in the box score for the Green Wave finishing with 16 and 15 points, respectively. Williams knocked down three triples in the contest while also pulling down a team-best eight boards. Woods played an all-around game for Tulane recording six rebounds, five assists, and one steal to go with his 15 points.

Rounding out the leaders for the Wave were Gregg Glenn III with 12 points and Mari Jordan with 10 points. Glenn also led the team with seven assists and matched the team-best three steals by Brumbaugh.

The Tigers were led by the duo of Dain Dainja and PJ Haggerty who combined for 41 of the team's 78 points. Dainja notched a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds while Haggerty finished with 18 shooting 14-of-14 from the charity stripe.

It was a bit of a slow offensive start for both teams as the Wave held 7-6 advantage over five minutes into the contest. Memphis found a bit of rhythm first with 10-3 run to take the lead with 11:50 to play in the first half.

Tulane battled back against the Tigers to pull the game to a tie twice over the next few minutes. However, Memphis hit a three-pointer in the closing second of the half to finish a 9-3 run to close the frame with the Green Wave trailing 32-39 at the break.

The Wave immediately flipped the script coming out of halftime scoring the first seven points of the frame to knot the game up at 39-39. Tulane and Memphis traded the lead four times over the next few minutes until the Tigers claimed a 53-46 advantage with 13:03 to play.

Tulane did not back down mounting an 11-4 run reclaiming the lead 59-57 on a pullup jumper by Jordan. The Tigers swiftly jumped back in front by five points, but once again the Wave was up for the fight going on a 9-3 scoring run to take a 71-70 advantage with 47 seconds on the clock.

Unfortunately, Haggerty and the Tigers continued to get to the free throw line in the final minute. Tulane ultimately lost the game 77-78 to Memphis falling in the semifinals of the AAC Championship in Dickies Arena.

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