The Memphis Tigers opened their American Athletic Conference (AAC) campaign in emphatic fashion on Thursday night, dismantling the Florida Atlantic Owls with a commanding 90-62 victory at FedEx Forum. Memphis, now 11-3 overall and 1-0 in AAC play, carried the momentum from last week’s triumph over Ole Miss into this matchup. Meanwhile, Florida Atlantic dropped to 7-7 overall and 1-1 in conference action.
This game marked a significant departure from Memphis’ occasional slow starts earlier in the season. From the opening tip, the Tigers dominated, showcasing the energy, efficiency, and teamwork that make them a formidable opponent.
A Rivalry That Never Fully Materialized
The matchup carried the shadow of a potential rivalry after Florida Atlantic’s dramatic victory over Memphis in the NCAA tournament two years ago. However, with Florida Atlantic’s former coach Dusty May and much of that squad now at Michigan, the rivalry has lost its edge. Thursday’s game underscored the current gulf in class between the two programs.
Game Recap: Memphis’ Dominance on Display
Memphis wasted no time setting the tone. The Tigers jumped out to an early 14-2 lead, signaling their intent to control the game from start to finish. Memphis held a 56-40 lead by halftime thanks to their efficient shooting and rebounding efforts.
In the second half, Memphis shifted into another gear, outpacing Florida Atlantic in all facets of the game. The Owls briefly cut the lead to single digits, but Memphis quickly responded, extending the gap and cruising to a 28-point victory.
Player Highlights
- Tyrese Hunter: Led the team with 20 points, including four three-pointers. He added several rebounds and assists, shooting an efficient 8-of-14 from the field in 34 minutes.
- PJ Haggerty: A consistent offensive force, scoring 19 points while contributing five rebounds and two assists.
- Colby Rogers: Though quieter than his standout performance against Ole Miss, he still managed 11 points, showing his value as a reliable scorer.
- Moussa Cissé: Dominated the boards with 11 rebounds and added seven points. His interior presence was a major factor in Memphis’ rebounding advantage.
- Dain Dainja: Delivered a stellar performance off the bench with 16 points, five rebounds, and two steals, demonstrating the Tigers’ depth.
Key Statistics
- Rebounding: Memphis controlled the glass with a 44-32 advantage, neutralizing Florida Atlantic’s 6’11” forward Babba Miller, who managed just five rebounds.
- Three-Point Shooting: The Tigers shot an impressive 10-of-18 from beyond the arc (55.6%), compared to Florida Atlantic’s dismal 5-of-31 (16.1%).
- Field Goal Efficiency: Memphis shot 55.9% from the field, dominating Florida Atlantic’s 32.4%.
- Turnovers: While Memphis had 19 turnovers—a point of concern—they were able to offset the mistakes with their offensive and defensive execution.
A Complete Performance
Thursday’s victory was one of Memphis’ most complete performances of the season. They dominated Florida Atlantic in every phase of the game, from rebounding to shooting efficiency. The Tigers’ bench also contributed significantly, with standout performances from Dain Dainja and PJ Carter.
Despite the dominant win, Memphis will need to address its turnover issues as it heads into more challenging matchups in AAC play.
Looking Ahead
Next up for Memphis is a home game against North Texas, a 10-3 team undefeated in AAC play. This game promises to be a strong litmus test for the Tigers as they look to maintain their momentum and establish dominance in the conference.
With a resume already stacked with multiple Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins, Memphis is positioning itself as the team to beat in the AAC. The question now is whether they can sustain this level of performance throughout the season.
Memphis fans have every reason to be optimistic. Thursday’s victory showcased the team’s potential to dominate the AAC and the larger college basketball landscape.
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