Tigers Claw at Victory but Blazers Ignite in Bartow Arena Showdown
The Memphis Tigers, ranked 19th, clashed with the unranked UAB Blazers at Bartow Arena, resulting in a high-scoring affair that ended with the Tigers falling short by a score of 88-97. The Memphis Tigers now hold a record of 19-1, while the UAB Blazers improved to 1-0.
The game was characterized by an aggressive offensive display from both teams. The Memphis Tigers showcased their speed with 18 fast break points and were able to convert turnovers into 26 points. Despite their efforts, they struggled to contain the Blazers' offense which managed to put up an impressive total rebound count of 40 compared to the Tigers' 32.
Memphis's performance was marked by precision from beyond the arc as they shot an impressive three-point percentage of around 44 percent. Their two-point attempts were also noteworthy with a success rate of approximately 51 percent. However, it was not enough against the Blazers who boasted higher efficiency in shooting with approximately 52 percent for field goals and about 55 percent for two-pointers.
Defensively, both teams had moments where they shone; however, it was UAB's four blocks that stood out against Memphis's single block throughout the game. Additionally, while both teams had similar turnover numbers—22 for Memphis and just one less for UAB—the home team managed to maintain a slight edge in assists-to-turnover ratio.
One area where Memphis excelled was steals; they racked up an impressive total of fifteen steals during the game which contributed significantly to their points off turnovers. Unfortunately for them, this defensive hustle did not translate into victory on this occasion.
The free throw line saw plenty of action as well; Memphis made around seventy percent of their shots from there while UAB capitalized on these opportunities at approximately seventy-six percent efficiency.
As fans look ahead after this intense matchup between conference rivals, they can mark their calendars for when The Memphis Tigers host Rice Owls at FedExForum on January thirty-first at seven o'clock PM Central Time. This encounter will be available for viewing on ESPN+, ensuring fans won't miss any action from what promises to be another exciting game.