FORT WORTH, Texas — The Memphis Tigers are once again champions of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), lifting the trophy after defeating the UAB Blazers 84-72 on Sunday afternoon at Dickies Arena. This marks the second time in three years Memphis has claimed the AAC tournament title, denying UAB the opportunity to participate in the NCAA tournament.
The game was closely contested throughout, showcasing the intensity and determination of both teams. Memphis star players PJ Haggerty and Dain Dainja stepped up, providing electric performances to secure the win. Haggerty led the scoring for the Tigers, pouring in 21 points, and Dainja contributed 18 points along with strong rebounding.
Despite Memphis’ strong performance, UAB managed to keep the game competitive with solid contributions from their own star player, Yaxel Lendeborg. The Blazers came out fighting, even taking the lead at halftime 35-32 as Lendeborg racked up nine points and ten rebounds before the break.
The game began with tight defense as both sides struggled to find their rhythm. Early on, Dainja demonstrated his versatility, contributing not only on the scoreboard but also showing off impressive facilitating skills, notching two assists within the first few minutes. Seven of the eight Memphis players who saw action scored, indicating the collective effort the Tigers exhibited throughout the tournament.
Tyrese Hunter, Memphis' starting guard, was unable to play due to an ankle injury he suffered during the previous win against Tulane. Hunter's absence was felt as Baraka Okojie stepped up to fill his shoes, marking his first start of the season. While Okojie's performance was solid under pressure, he couldn't quite match the offensive prowess of Hunter, who had averaged 13.7 points for the season.
The second half began with Memphis trying to claw back the momentum. Dainja was assessed a flagrant foul early on, which stirred tension between the two squads. That didn't deter the Tigers, as they would respond with increased intensity. Memphis recaptured the lead and rode star performances to maintain control as the game wore on.
"We knew we had to work together and play Memphis basketball to win this game," said Haggerty during the post-game interview, reflecting on his team’s resilience during the tournament.
UAB fought back with toughness and persistence, but they struggled with their offensive efficiency. Memphis' defense proved to be unyielding as it forced UAB to rely on contested shots. Lendeborg's ability to dominate on the boards was evident, and though he remained productive up until the final buzzer, the Tigers managed to stifle him when it mattered most.
Notably, both teams were playing their third game over the span of three days, which contributed to heavy legs and fatigue. Despite the physical warfare on the court, Memphis showed more stamina down the stretch, taking advantage of their depth and execution.
Memphis has been riding high with seven consecutive wins as they entered the title match, and they continued to assert their dominance through the tournament, beating UAB twice earlier this season—100-77 at home and 88-81 on the road.
After securing the AAC regular-season championship title earlier this season for the first time, this championship win reflects the growth and tenacity of the Memphis program. The Tigers will now await their NCAA tournament seeding, which will be announced later today.
For UAB, the defeat marks another painful chapter as they aimed to defend their title. After entering the final with high hopes from previous victories over North Texas and East Carolina, the Blazers succumbed under the pressure from Memphis' defensive schemes and shooting prowess.
UAB's coach highlighted their strong offensive rebounding statistic, yet it became increasingly apparent as the game unfolded, Memphis was just too skilled. After the match, he noted, "We needed to execute our game plan and capitalize on our chances, but Memphis capitalized on their opportunities much more effectively than we did. We’ll learn from this and regroup for the next challenge."
This AAC tournament final not only sets up Memphis for potential NCAA glory but also serves as motivation for both teams going forward. The tournament concluded with the Tigers on top, continuing their vision toward excellence, and the Blazers on the lookout for adjustments to make next season even more formidable.