“Losing Sucks!” Coach Penny Hardaway
by Don Mooney
Frustrating morning at FedEx Forum. Coach Hardaway still looking for team formula before the tournament begins. photo by Don Mooney
MEMPHIS, TENN. – The UAB Men’s Basketball team (18-10, 9-6 American) beat Memphis (12-15, 7-7 American) 78-67 in an early Sunday morning game in Memphis, Tenn. This was the first time in 27 years that UAB has beaten the Tigers in Memphis, Tenn. Chance Westry (23) and Evan Chatman (22) led the Blazers and combined for 55 of UAB’s total points. Chatman recorded eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks while Westry added six assists, four rebounds, and five steals.
Julius Thedford added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds with two steals in 30 minutes. photo by Don Mooney
The losing slide continues as Tigers make it four losses in a row. The Tigers trailed for much of the day after UAB used a strong first half to build a 46-30 advantage at the break. The Blazers extended the lead to as many as 19 early in the second half before Memphis began to chip away.
Dug McDaniel helped spark the response, scoring 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting to lead the Tigers. Memphis put together a 12-0 run and cut the deficit to three with just over seven minutes remaining, but UAB answered at the free-throw line and held the Tigers without a field goal over the final 4:45.
UAB junior point guard Jacob Meyer kept pressure on Tiger defense all afternoon. photo by Don Mooney
Sincere Parker added 13 points, while Julius Thedford recorded 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Curtis Givens III finished with 11 points.
Memphis shot 45.8 percent from the field and outscored UAB 37-32 in the second half, but 15 turnovers and the first-half deficit proved difficult to overcome. The Blazers were led by Chance Westry (23 points) and Evan Chatman (22 points, eight rebounds).
photo by Don Mooney
Memphis returns to split action next week as the Tigers host Wichita State on Thursday at 8 p.m. (ESPN2) before making the trip to East Carolina on Sunday for a 1 p.m. tip on ESPN+. It will be two of the last four regular season games for Memphis.