Strong second half for Tigers, Quinones leads to NIT first round win over Dayton

DENTON, Texas – With Dayton leading 58-56 with 6:31 to play, the Memphis Tigers closed the game on a 15-2 run, including holding the Flyers scoreless for the final 2:12, and captured a 71-60 win in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament Saturday in Denton, Texas.

The top-seeded Tigers (17-8) advance to play second-seeded Boise State in the NIT quarterfinals Thursday. The game at UNT Coliseum in Denton is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.

Landers Nolley II led the Tigers with 21 points, and he also had six rebounds and five assists. Lester Quinones notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, with all 15 of his points coming in 16 minutes…