By Annabella Ramirez
March 16, 2025
FORT WORTH, Texas – The top-seeded University of Memphis men’s basketball team won the AAC Conference tournament with a win over UAB, 84-72, inside Dickies Arena Sunday afternoon.
Led by Redshirt-Sophomore guard PJ Haggerty, who recorded 23 points. He also added seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Senior forward Dain Dainja recorded another double-double, scoring 22 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks, and four assists.
Senior guard Colby Rogers also scored double figures, adding 15 points.
Getting his first start of the season Baraka Okijie started the Tigers off hot with a three-pointer to score the team’s first points. Memphis took an early lead, going up 10-5.
UAB fought back with a 9-0 run to take the lead. However, the lead did not last as Memphis rattled off a 7-0 run of their own to regain the lead.
The Tigers went cold from the floor, making two of its next 15 field goals, while the Blazers capitalized and went on a 7-0 run.
Memphis was able to make it a one-possession game heading into the locker room, off of two made free throws by Haggerty.
With a three-pointer by Rogers, the Tigers regained the lead, sparking a 7-0 run. Memphis finally started gaining momentum, with another run, to go up 47-41.
The Blazers never let up, clawing back within two points. Both teams battled back and forth until Haggerty scored seven straight points to give the Tigers some breathing room.
The Tigers put their foot on the gas, extending the lead to 14 points while also holding UAB to 0 made field goals for 4 minutes.
Memphis was too much for the Blazers in the end, sealing the deal to a 84-72 victory.
COURTESY MEMPHIS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS