The University of Memphis men's basketball team defeated previously undefeated and 13th-ranked Clemson, 79-77, Saturday afternoon in a "White Out" at FedExForum in Memphis.
Memphis (8-2) extended its win-streak to three games in front of 15,052 raucous fans and picked up its fifth Power Five win of the season, three of which have come against a ranked opponent.
Four Tigers were in double figures, led by David Jones' 22 points on 6-of-14 shooting. Jahvon Quinerly added 17 points to go along with a team-high six assists and three steals. Nicholas Jourdain connected on 5-of-6 field goals en route to 11 points and a team-high two blocks.
Jaykwon Walton made several big plays and finished with 10 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
Memphis trailed by seven at the break, 39-32, but a swift 13-1 run just four-and-a-half minutes into the second half put the Tigers in front 45-42. Clemson showed toughness and over the next four minutes, outscored Memphis 15-7 to go back in front by five.
Following a Jayhlon Young layup at the 7:59 mark that put the Tigers back in front 62-61, Memphis never trailed the rest of the way. The Bluff City Tigers allowed the game to be closer than it should after missing six free throws in the final two-and-a-half minutes.
Walton stepped up and nailed both of his shots at the charity stripe with 13 seconds on the clock to put Memphis in front 79-76. Coach Penny Hardaway made the decision to foul late and it paid off as Clemson was forced to get a tip-in with one second to play. Clemson missed its final attempt and Malcolm Dandridge came down with the game-clinching rebound.
Memphis shot 43.3 percent from the field (29-67), made 73.9 percent of its free throws (17-23) and dished out 12 assists while swiping nine steals.
No. 13 Clemson (9-1) led by as many as 10 points late in the first half, but Memphis forced them into a number of costly turnovers that ended up being the difference in the game. The visiting Tigers shot 49.2 percent overall (30-61) but converted on just 30.4 percent from deep (7-23) and 66.7 percent from the line (10-15).
PJ Hall led Clemson with 21 points and three blocks, but coughed up the rock a season-high five times. Ian Schieffelin grabbed a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Chauncey Wiggins added 19 points and seven boards.