No. 16/20 Memphis took down NC State in the Barclays Center Classic as three American Athletic Conference men's basketball teams were in action on Thanksgiving (Nov. 28).

No. 5/8 Maryland 76, Temple 69 - Box Score

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) -- Six games into the season, Mark Turgeon isn’t so sure No. 5 Maryland deserves its lofty ranking.

Yes, the Terrapins (6-0) are unbeaten and have high expectations, however they’ve yet to put together the kind of complete performance their coach has been looking for.

"Just because we have a number in front of our name, I don't think we've really earned it to be honest with you. Hopefully we do at some point,” Turgeon said after Anthony Cowan Jr. scored five of his career-best 30 points in the final minutes to help the Terps overcome a slow start and beat Temple 76-69 in the opening game of the Orlando Invitational on Thursday.

“We get everybody's best shot,” the Maryland coach added. “The bottom line is it's about winning, and we've figured out every game how to win. I was really proud of our guys for this early in the season to execute the way we did down the stretch."

Eric Ayala had 13 points and Jalen Smith finished with 12 points and nine rebounds for the Terrapins, who trailed by as many as nine in the first half. Cowan put them ahead for good with a long 3-pointer and added two free throws in the closing seconds for a five-point lead.

Ayala also came up big down the stretch with a 3-pointer, two free throws and a driving layup in the final 1:53. Smith capped the win - Maryland’s first by less than 18 points - with two free throws that gave the Terps their biggest lead of the game with 2 seconds remaining.

"They made plays down the stretch,” Temple coach Aaron McKie said. “We've got some work to do."

Alani Moore II led Temple (4-1) with 22 points. J.P. Moorman II had 14 points and nine rebounds, while Owls leading scorer Nate Pierre-Louis was limited to three points - nearly 13 below his average - on 0-for-7 shooting from the field and 3 of 4 free throws.

Moorman said playing a highly ranked team close provide little consolation for Temple.

“No, never,” Moorman said. “But I definitely think this has given us an image of how we can play with anybody in the country. That was the fifth-best team in the country, we played them close."

No. 16/20 Memphis 83, NC State 78 - Box Score

NEW YORK (AP) -- No. 16 Memphis is way ahead of schedule.

''We've seen them grow up right before our eyes,'' coach Penny Hardaway said. ''I thought it was going to be around January. We're not where we need to be but we're growing. To see this in November is big.''

The Tigers came up big Thursday, beating North Carolina State 83-78 on Thursday in the Barclays Center Classic.

Boogie Ellis scored 21 points to lead Memphis (6-1). Precious Achiuwa added 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Tyler Harris had 14.

Markell Johnson led North Carolina State (5-2) with 22 points. Jericole Hellems added 17, and DJ Funderburk had 14.

''It's a loss but we want to build off our second half,'' coach Kevin Keatts said. ''The second half was way better than our first.''

Trailing by 16 at the start of the second half, the Wolfpack cut it to 75-72 on C.J. Bryce's free throw with 3:51 left.

Achiuwa made a jumper, and D.J. Jeffries converted a putback on Memphis' next two possessions to extend the lead to seven, only for Bryce to respond with a jumper to cut it to 79-74.

Harris missed a floater in the lane, but the ball went off a N.C. State player. Johnson then drew a blocking foul on Ellis, and made both foul shots to cut it to 79-76.

Memphis dashed any thoughts about an upset when Harris converted a three-point play, and Alex Lomax stole the ball from Johnson.

''This is a part of growth,'' Hardaway said. ''The best is still yet to come for this young team. They're starting to understand more now and I'm proud of that. They're carrying over what we're teaching to the games.''

Memphis did not have freshman center James Wiseman (NCAA suspension) and freshman guard Lester Quinones (broken right hand), although freshman center Malcolm Dandridge played his first game after suffering a torn meniscus in February. Dandridge finished with two points and a rebound.

Penn 68, UCF 67 - Box Score

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- AJ Brodeur had 23 points 9-of-12 shooting and Penn edged past UCF 68-67 in the Wooden Legacy on Thursday night.

Devon Goodman had 19 points for Penn and Ryan Betley added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Goodman hit two free throws to give the Quakers (4-2) a 68-65 lead with 27 seconds left. UCF missed three shots on its ensuing possession and a tie up gave Penn the ball with 3.4 seconds remaining, but an errant inbound pass gave it back to the Knights. Darin Green Jr. then hit what was originally called the tying 3-pointer at the buzzer but, after replay review, it was called a 2 and the Quakers escaped with the win.

Collin Smith tied a career high with 22 points and had 12 rebounds for UCF (3-2). Dazon Ingram added 17 points and 13 rebounds and Green finished with 11 points.