Achiuwa scores 24 to lift Memphis past East Carolina 77-73
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Precious Achiuwa scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Boogie Ellis hit the clinching free throw with 8.3 seconds left as Memphis edged East Carolina 77-73 on Wednesday night.
The Pirates battled back from a 16-point second-half deficit to tie the score three times, the first with 6:23 to play. But after tying the game at 69, Ellis and Achiuwa scored inside to give the Tigers a 73-69 lead going into the final minute.
ECU made one free throw and Memphis three of four for a 76-70 lead. Bitumba Baruti nailed a 3-pointer for the Pirates with 10.3 seconds to play but Ellis made it a two-possession game.
Ellis had 17 points for Memphis (18-8, 7-6 American Athletic Conference).
Tristen Newton tied a season high with 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for his first double-double for the Pirates (10-17, 4-10). Jayden Gardner added 16 points and Bitumba Baruti 14.
Memphis matches up against Houston at home on Saturday. East Carolina plays Temple at home on Sunday.
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Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com
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2019-2020 American Athletic Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 13-5 | - | 23-8 |
| Tulsa | 13-5 | - | 21-10 |
| Cincinnati | 13-5 | - | 20-10 |
| Wichita State | 11-7 | 2 | 23-8 |
| Memphis | 10-8 | 3 | 21-10 |
| UConn | 10-8 | 3 | 19-12 |
| SMU | 9-9 | 4 | 19-11 |
| UCF | 7-11 | 6 | 16-14 |
| South Florida | 7-11 | 6 | 14-17 |
| Temple | 6-12 | 7 | 14-17 |
| East Carolina | 5-13 | 8 | 11-20 |
| Tulane | 4-14 | 9 | 12-18 |