No. 22 Memphis handles FAU to remain atop AAC

Dain Dainja and PJ Haggerty each had 22 points to lead the host Memphis Tigers to an 84-65 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls on Sunday afternoon.

Dainja matched a career-best with his point total and grabbed 11 rebounds. Colby Rogers added 15 points and Moussa Cisse secured 11 rebounds as the No. 22-ranked Tigers (22-5, 12-2 American Athletic Conference) increased their AAC lead over North Texas and UAB to a full game.

Memphis, which was coming off of last Sunday's loss to Wichita State, has not dropped back-to-back games this season.

Tre Carroll led the Owls (15-12, 8-6) with 20 points and seven rebounds while Kaleb Glenn had 15 points and five rebounds. Leland Walker had 14 points and four assists and shot 4-for-6 from 3-point range.

Florida Atlantic has lost back-to-back games following a five-game winning streak. The Owls missed out on what could have been a major boost of a win for their slim NCAA Tournament hopes.

The Tigers shot just 3-for-13 from 3-point range in the first half but closed the period strong.

Down 24-18, Memphis put together a 14-0 run and held FAU scoreless for a span of 4:37, during which the Owls shot 0-for-7 from the field. Walker broke the run with a 3-pointer and FAU was within 37-32 at the half.

Carroll's layup brought the Owls within 41-38 early in the second half before the Tigers rattled off the next 12 points to spring ahead by 15.

Memphis put the game out of reach in the second half with a 13-0 run to take a 76-49 lead with 6:15 to go. Haggerty scored eight points during that surge and finished the game 11-for-17 from the field while also collecting six rebounds.

The Tigers' 16 offensive rebounds proved key, as they led to 19 second-chance points. Memphis held a 44-33 rebounding advantage overall.

--Field Level Media