LAHAINA, Hawaii – The University of Memphis men’s basketball team advanced to the Maui Invitational championship game with a 71-63 second-round victory over Michigan State at the Lahaina Civic Center on Tuesday night.

With the win, the Tigers improved to 6-0, marking their best start since the 2010-11 season, when Memphis opened the year 7-1.

The Tigers are the first non-Power 4 team since 2019 (Dayton) to advance to the Maui Invitational championship game in Hawaii. Memphis awaits the winner of No. 4 Auburn and No. 12 North Carolina.

Senior security guard Tyresian hunter scored 23 points on 7 of 15 shooting, marking his third of the last four games in which he scored more than 20 points. He hit five triples and added two assists and a rebound.

The Tigers led by three points at halftime before going on an 11-0 run midway through the second half to take a 57-42 lead. The Spartans (5-2) fought back and cut the lead to seven with 4:54 to play. Hunter answered for the Tigers, converting a four-point play to extend the lead back to double digits.

Center for the fifth year Moussa Cisse (9 points, 7 rebounds) was fouled by the forward with 2:52 left Dain Dainja (7 points, 2 rebounds) was previously fouled with 6:33 left. The Tigers played the final three minutes without both of them, but were able to hold on for the win, getting three more free throws from Hunter and two more free throws from the fifth-year guard PJ Carter to ice the victory.

Redshirt sophomore guard PJ Haggerty added 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists on 6 of 11 shooting. Redshirt senior guard Colby Rogers contributed 10 points, one assist and one rebound.

After starting the game with back-and-forth scoring, Memphis extended its lead to as many as nine with 3:49 left in the half following a layup by Haggerty and consecutive dunks by Hunter and Jared Harrishis first college points.

Michigan State made its comeback just before halftime with a three-pointer from Jase Richardson, giving the Tigers a 34-31 lead.

The Tiger offense exploded midway through the second half with an 11-0 run capped by a cisse and one, giving Memphis its largest lead of the day at 15. But the Spartans once again persevered.

A double-digit lead turned into five points after MSU went on a 9-0 run late in the game.

In the final 34 seconds, Hunter and Carter sank crucial free throws to secure the 71-63 victory and qualify for the championship game.

As a team, the Tigers shot 44 percent from the field and 40 percent from distance, while the Spartans shot just 22 percent from distance.

Memphis will play the winner of #4 Auburn/#12 North Carolina tomorrow, Wednesday, November 27th at 4pm CT. Coverage of the game can be found on ESPN and 98.9 The Roar.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger men’s basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team’s social media channels on TwitterInstagram and Facebook.