White, Grimes lead No. 21 Houston to 64-57 win over Memphis
- Mar. 08, 2020 02:41 PM EDT
Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa, left middle, wrestles for a rebound with Houston forward Fabian White Jr., right middle, in front of center Chris Harris Jr., left, and guard Marcus Sasser right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa, left middle, wrestles for a rebound with Houston forward Fabian White Jr., right middle, in front of center Chris Harris Jr., left, and guard Marcus Sasser right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston forward Fabian White Jr., middle, attempts to control a rebound as Memphis guard Tyler Harris (1) and guard Boogie Ellis (5) reach in during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Memphis guard Boogie Ellis, left, gets the rebound behind Houston center Brison Gresham, middle, as Memphis guard Lester Quinones, right, looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Memphis guard Lester Quinones, front, gets the loose ball in front of Houston guard Nate Hinton, back, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston forward Fabian White Jr. (35) reaches in as Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa (55) drives to the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
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HOUSTON (AP) — Fabian White Jr. had 18 points and 14 rebounds, Quentin Grimes added 17 points and No. 21 Houston defeated Memphis 64-57 on Sunday.

Grimes had 15 second-half points, which led a big run for the Cougars (23-8, 13-5 American Athletic Conference). Nate Hinton had 13 points for Houston, which shot 34%, including 48% in the second half.

The Cougars forced 17 turnovers by Memphis, which they turned into 18 points. Houston also had a 45-41 advantage in rebounding and a 17-8 advantage in second-chance points.

Houston will finish at least in a tie for second in the AAC.

Precious Achiuwa had 25 points and 15 rebounds and Lester Quinones added 10 points for Memphis (21-10, 10-8). The Tigers shot 36%, including 6 of 24 on 3-pointers.

Trailing 41-39 midway through the second half, Grimes ignited Houston to a 17-2 run to give the Cougars a 53-43 lead on a layup with 3:15 remaining.

Memphis led 30-26 at the half behind 16 points from Achiuwa.

BIG PICTURE

Memphis: The Tigers missed a chance to help their NCAA Tournament resume and fell to 2-3 this season against ranked opponents. … Excluding Achiuwa and Quinones, Memphis shot 5 for 19 from the field. … The Tigers were 5-6 on the road this season.

Houston: The Cougars had another poor shooting first half, hitting 22%, including missing their last nine field goals over the final 5:13 of the half. … Houston finished the season 14-2 at home and won its last 10 straight at home. … Houston was 8-0 following a loss this season.

UP NEXT

The American Athletic Conference Tournament in Fort Worth. Houston earned a bye into the quarterfinals and will play on Friday, while Memphis will play on Thursday in the first round.

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