MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In a solid performance on Friday night, PJ Haggerty and Dain Dainja each scored 20 points, steering No. 16 Memphis to claim the outright American Athletic Conference regular-season title with an 84-68 win over South Florida. The duo was instrumental in establishing Memphis’s dominance in the second half.
Haggerty, who also contributed eight rebounds and five assists, was supported by Tyrese Hunter’s 16 points for the Tigers (26-5, 16-2). Dainja was particularly efficient, converting 10 of his 13 shots as Memphis impressively shot 53% from the field. On the opposing side, Jayden Reid was a standout for the Bulls (13-18, 6-12), leading his team with 20 points, while CJ Brown pitched in with 11 points. South Florida’s recent struggles continued with this game marking their third straight loss and their sixth in seven outings.
The matchup was closely contested in the first half, with both teams entering the break tied at 35. Reid was the singular player to break into double figures in the first half, scoring 11 points and missing only one of his initial five shots. Entering the second half, Memphis ramped up their defensive efforts, effectively taking control of the game.
For South Florida, the end of the season was marred by a 2-6 stretch. Notably, only one of their losses during this period — an 80-65 defeat to Memphis on February 13 — was by double digits. Meanwhile, securing the outright regular-season championship was a landmark achievement for Memphis, marking their first since the 2012-13 season when they competed in Conference USA.
A pivotal moment unfolded as Memphis initiated the second half with a decisive 9-1 run, making their first six shots and building a lead that surpassed ten points midway through the half. This surge was a testament to their poise under pressure.
Memphis’s ability to control the glass was evident as they captured 11 offensive rebounds, ensuring a streak of at least 10 offensive boards in 10 consecutive games. This dominance on the boards converted into 19 valuable second-chance points.
Looking ahead, both teams will participate in the American Athletic Conference tournament commencing Wednesday in Fort Worth, Texas. Holding the top seed, Memphis has the advantage of not playing until Friday.