New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Austin Nichols scored a team-best 17 points, including the game-winner in the final seconds, as the Memphis Tigers slipped by the Tulane Green Wave, 57-55, in Conference USA action at Smoothie King Center.

Nichols, who shot 7-of-11 from the floor, added nine rebounds for the Tigers (12-7, 5-3 C-USA) as they won for the fourth time in the last five outings. Markel Crawford added 15 points and five steals for Memphis as well.

Tulane (13-7, 4-4) was paced by Jay Hook with his 13 points, while Jonathan Stark and Louis Dabney both tallied 10 points, although the latter shot just 2-of-13 from the floor as the team lost for the third time in four tries.

The Green Wave led by as many as five points in the first half, but the team made a total of just eight field goals in the frame, allowing the visitors to pull out to a 32-25 advantage at the break.

In the second half it was Memphis that struggled at only 38.5 percent, making just one of seven chances on the perimeter, but was in contention nonetheless.

Nichols hit the game-winner on a baseline jumper with 3.1 seconds remaining. The Green Wave was able to get off a shot at the buzzer but it missed the mark from just inside midcourt.

The Tigers survived despite turning the ball over 17 times and being outscored at the free-throw line, 13-6.