Haggerty and Dainja lead No. 24 Memphis to a 100-77 victory over UAB

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — PJ Haggerty scored 23 points, Dain Dainja had a season-high 21 points and eight rebounds and No. 24 Memphis shot 62% in a 100-77 victory over UAB on Sunday.

Dainja was 10 of 12 from the field before fouling out as Memphis (16-4, 6-1 American Athletic Conference) won its third straight game and seventh in its last eight.

Efrem Johnson led the Blazers (12-8, 5-2) with 21 points. Bradley Ezewiro finished with 19, while Yaxel Lendeborg had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The game pitted two of the three teams in the American standings and the top two picks in preseason polls, with UAB voted first to win the conference and Memphis second.

Memphis used inside-out scoring to take a 52-39 halftime lead with Dainja scoring 16 points and Haggerty adding 13.

Memphis forward Dain Dainja (42) shoots defended by UAB forward Bradley Ezewiro (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)

Johnson kept the Blazers in the game with 17 points, including 5 of 7 from outside the arc.

Takeaways

UAB: The Blazers, who usually take care of the ball, committed 16 turnovers leading to 32 Memphis points.

Memphis: The Tigers minimized turnovers (13) and scored inside with Dainja, who moved into the starting lineup.

Key moment

From left, UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg, Memphis guard PJ Haggerty and UAB forward Christian Coleman, scramble for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)

Memphis already had a double-digit lead at the break, then opened the second half with a 12-6 run by connecting on five straight shots.

Key stat

Memphis used its inside game to build its first-half lead, holding a 34-10 advantage in the paint. It finished with a 54-30 advantage.

Up next

The Blazers travel to Tulsa on Wednesday. The Tigers play at Tulane on Thursday.

UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) and forward Christian Coleman (4) defend Memphis center Moussa Cisse, center, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
UAB guard Tony Toney (6) defends a shot attempt by Memphis guard PJ Carter (7) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
UAB guard Efrem Johnson (8) defends Memphis guard Tyrese Hunter (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
Memphis forward Nicholas Jourdain (2) reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UAB Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) defends Memphis guard PJ Haggerty (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)

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