Tigers storm back to blow out UAB on senior day

It might as well have been over Sunday.

Emphasis on might.

In the first half, UAB dominated Memphis basketball and led by 22 points. But the Tigers, if they wanted any shot at an NCAA tournament atlarge bid, had to have this game. So they took it.

In front of an electrified and deliriously raucous Fedexforum crowd, the Tigers (22-8, 11-6 AAC) used a 46-9 run (highlighted by 20 straight points) to regain control and cruise to a 106-87 victory, their fourth straight. It keeps them in contention for a double-bye at the AAC tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, which starts March 13. They are in fourth place in the league standings, with one regular-season game remaining.

Many of the same fans buzzing about the Tigers’ abominable play in the first half were buzzing in the second about the dominant play.

Memphis is only the second team in college basketball since 2010 to trail by more than 20 points and win the same game by more than 15.

“I’m not sure if I should be proud of that or not.,” coach Penny Hardaway said jokingly.

The resounding win avenged January’s disappointing loss to the Blazers (18-11, 10-6) in Birmingham.

Here are five observations from Sunday’s win.

Points, points and more points

Memphis was powered by the three-headed monster consisting of David Jones, Nae’qwan Tomlin and Jahvon Quinerly.

Jones was held to just eight points in the first half. But, as has happened in other games where he has a slow start, he came alive in the second half. He scored 24 of his game-high 32 points in the final 20 minutes.

Tomlin, the midseason transfer who has emerged as a major force on both ends of the floor, dropped 28 points to go along with seven rebounds.

Quinerly finished with 25 points.

The turnover battle

UAB handled relatively well what little defensive pressure Memphis managed in the first half. The Blazers committed just seven turnovers before halftime, compared to eight for Memphis.

The second half was another story entirely. UAB turned the ball over 11 times in its disastrous half, while the Tigers committed just one.

Andy Kennedy’s short day

The Tigers came out of the locker room after halftime like a house of fire.

Trailing 61-46 at the break, they hit two field goals in the first minute and four in the first two minutes to narrow the gap to just seven points. UAB coach Andy Kennedy grew restless, shaking his head, looking at the floor and sighing deeply.

Two minutes later, the Tigers had clawed back to within 61-59, and Kennedy blew a gasket. He was hit with a technical foul by referee Jeb Hartness, which did not sit well with Kennedy. As his protesting continued, he was ejected by Byron Jarrett. That set Kennedy off even more. Players and coaches alike had to restrain him.

Where’s the defense?

Two weeks ago, the Tigers allowed 58 points to SMU in the first half of a game they lost 106-79.

And whatever SMU had done, UAB did better. The Blazers annihilated the Tigers in the first half, putting up 61 points without scoring in the first 1:19 or the last 1:35.

UAB shot 67.6% from the floor and hit eight 3-pointers. In the first 20 minutes, it abused Memphis’ interior defense, scoring 30 points in the paint.

Help at the free-throw line

As things spiraled for the Tigers in the first half, they buoyed themselves by a steady showing at the free-throw line.

They got there early and often, making 16 shots on 18 attempts. Their 16 makes were twice as many as UAB even attempted in the first half.

All of that time spent at the freethrow line also helped set the table for the foul trouble UAB found itself in the rest of the game. Six Blazers finished with three or more fouls.

Quinerly and Jones each made 10 free throws.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.