The Rice Owls got to within one point of the No. 19 Memphis Tigers on five occasions in the second half, but could not finish off the upset Sunday afternoon.

PJ Haggerty had 26 points and eight rebounds, Tyrese Hunter added 19 points and No. 19 Memphis held on to beat Rice 86-83.

It was not without a bevy of nervous moments, but Memphis basketball overcame a scrappy Rice Owls team Sunday, winning 86-83. PJ Carter's two made free throws with 4.2 seconds left in the game gave Memphis the breathing room it needed to escape with the victory.

The Owls got a 3-pointer from Jacob Dar with 11.8 seconds left in the game to cut the Tigers' lead to 82-81 at Tudor Fieldhouse. But PJ Haggerty and PJ Carter made four clutch free throws in the last 8 seconds to put give Memphis some breathing room.