DENTON, Texas (AP) — Lester Quinones made a putback with 32.5 seconds remaining to give Memphis the lead en route to a 59-56 win over Boise State in the NIT on Thursday night.
Memphis (18-8) advances to play Colorado State in the semifinals on Saturday.
Quinones' offensive rebound and basket ended Boise State's 10-0 run, and gave Memphis a 56-55 lead. After a Boise State miss, DeAndre Williams made two free throws to give the Tigers a three-point lead at 13.2.
Memphis had made just 3 of 11 free throws until Williams' makes.
Boise State's Derrick Alston Jr. went to the line with 3.6 seconds left, and made the first before intentionally missing the second. Landers Nolley II made 1 of 2 to regain the three-point lead and Boise State's heave at the buzzer did not hit the rim.
D.J. Jeffries and Boogie Ellis each had 11 points for Memphis. Quinones added 10 points and seven rebounds, and Damion Baugh had six rebounds.
Mladen Armus had 12 points for the Broncos (19-9). Alston and Devonaire Doutrive each added 11 points. Boise State turned it over 13 times in the first half and finished with 15.
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1of15Memphis guard Jayden Hardaway shoots over Boise State forward Mladen Armus (33) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less2of15Memphis guard Jayden Hardaway celebrates after making a shot against Boise State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less
3of154of15Boise State guard Devonaire Doutrive (11) makes a move inside as Memphis guard Landers Nolley II (3) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less5of15Boise State guard RayJ Dennis (10) handles the ball as Memphis guard Damion Baugh (10) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less
6of157of15Memphis guard Boogie Ellis (5) shoots as Boise State guard Marcus Shaver Jr. (0) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less8of15Boise State guard Marcus Shaver Jr., top, goes up for a layup and collides with Memphis forward D.J. Jeffries during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less
9of1510of15Boise State coach Leon Rice talks with a referee as Boise State played Memphis during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less11of15Memphis coach Anfernee Penny Hardaway watches the team play Boise State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less
12of1513of15Memphis forward DeAndre Williams (12) is defended by Boise State guard Marcus Shaver Jr. (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less14of15Memphis plays Boise State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less
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It will be the first time in the 83-year history of college basketball’s oldest postseason tournament that the semifinals and championship game won't be played at Madison Square Garden.
