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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2020-2021 American Athletic Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita State | 10-2 | - | 14-4 |
| Houston | 13-3 | +1 | 20-3 |
| Memphis | 11-3 | - | 15-6 |
| SMU | 7-4 | 2.5 | 11-4 |
| Cincinnati | 7-6 | 3.5 | 9-10 |
| UCF | 8-10 | 5 | 10-11 |
| Tulsa | 7-9 | 5 | 11-11 |
| South Florida | 4-9 | 6.5 | 8-11 |
| Temple | 4-10 | 7 | 5-10 |
| Tulane | 4-12 | 8 | 9-12 |
| East Carolina | 2-9 | 7.5 | 8-9 |