Late Push Not Enough as Tigers Drop Decision to UAB

Sunday, February 22

Memphis, Tenn.

11:00 AM

University of Memphis

12-15,7-7American

UAB

18-10,9-6American

UAB

Memphis

Late Push Not Enough as Tigers Drop Decision to UAB

Feb 22, 2026 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis men's basketball fell to UAB, 78-67, Sunday afternoon at FedExForum in an important American Conference matchup, extending it losing streak to four games.

The Tigers (12-15, 7-7 American) 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.

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).

POSTGAME NOTES

Starting Five: Memphis opened with a starting lineup of Dug McDaniel, Curtis Givens III, Julius Thedford, Aaron Bradshaw and Thierno Sylla.
- It's the fifth-straight game the Tigers have used this starting five.
Shooting: Memphis shot 45.8 percent from the field (27-of-59) and went just 4-of-18 from the three-point line (22.2%) while knocking down 9-of-14 at the free-throw line (64.3%).
- It's the fourth-fewest makes for the Tigers this season from behind the arc.
Turnovers: Memphis committed 15 turnovers, which the Blazers converted into 17 points.
Defense: The Tigers allowed UAB to shoot 45.8 percent overall (27-of-59), including 6-of-19 (31.6%) from three.
- The Blazers connected on 18-of-25 from the free throw stripe.
- Memphis also recorded six blocks and seven three steals.
Bench Production: The Tigers' bench scored 20 points for the second-straight game, matching the fewest point total of the season from the reserves.
Rebounding: UAB outrebound Memphis,34-32, including 11-9 on the offensive glass.
Ball Movement: Memphis dished out just nine assists, tied for the fourth fewest in a game this season.
Dug McDaniel led the Tigers with 19 points and three assists in 30 minutes.
- He shot 8-of-13 overall and scored 15 of his points after halftime
- It's his 18^th game this season in double figures.
Julius Thedford added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds with two steals in 30 minutes.
- He hit 5-of-9 from the floor and led the Tigers with three offensive boards.
Sincere Parker finished with 13 points and three rebounds in 31 minutes.
- He went 1-of-1 from the free throw line, extending his streak to 36 consecutive makes.
Curtis Givens III contributed 11 points, five rebounds and three assists in a career-high 37 minutes.
- He led the team with three triples in the loss, the fifth time he's converted thrice from distance this season.
Thierno Sylla added five points, while Tariq Ingraham poured in three.

UP NEXT
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.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.