UCF Knights vs Memphis Tigers
Williams, UCF smother Memphis, advance to AAC tourney semis
HARTFORD, Conn. -- Matt Williams had 19 points, including five 3-pointers, B.J. Taylor scored 14 with five assists and No. 4 seed UCF beat fifth-seeded Memphis 84-54 on Friday in the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
UCF (21-10) will play top-seeded and No. 12-ranked SMU in the semifinals on Saturday. The Knights, who have won six in a row, lost their only regular-season meeting with SMU.
After a dunk by Rivers gave Memphis a 10-4 lead, the Tigers missed their next 14 field-goal attempts and went scoreless for more than 5 1/2 minutes as UCF scored 18 straight points to start a 33-7 run and take a 43-26 lead into halftime. The Knights hit six 3-pointers, including three in a row by Williams, during the stretch. UCF then opened the second half with an 11-1 run to open a 27-point lead and cruised from there.
Brothers Dedric and K.J. Lawson combined for 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for Memphis (19-13), but made just 7 of 24 shots. The Tigers, who have lost six of their last seven games, were held 20 points below their scoring average (74.6).
Game Information
Hartford, CT
Referee:Rick Randall
Referee:Byron Jarrett
Referee:Karl Hess
2025-26 Standings
| American ConferenceAmerican Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida | 15-3 | - | 25-9 |
| Tulsa | 13-5 | 2 | 30-8 |
| Wichita State | 13-5 | 2 | 24-12 |
| UAB | 11-7 | 4 | 20-12 |
| North Texas | 9-9 | 6 | 19-14 |
| Florida Atlantic | 9-9 | 6 | 18-15 |
| Charlotte | 9-9 | 6 | 17-17 |
| Tulane | 8-10 | 7 | 18-15 |
| Temple | 8-10 | 7 | 16-16 |
| Memphis | 8-10 | 7 | 13-19 |
| Rice | 7-11 | 8 | 13-18 |
| East Carolina | 6-12 | 9 | 11-20 |
| UTSA | 1-17 | 14 | 5-25 |
| Big 12 ConferenceBig 12 Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 16-2 | - | 36-3 |
| Houston | 14-4 | 2 | 30-7 |
| Iowa State | 12-6 | 4 | 29-8 |
| Kansas | 12-6 | 4 | 24-11 |
| Texas Tech | 12-6 | 4 | 23-11 |
| TCU | 11-7 | 5 | 23-12 |
| BYU | 9-9 | 7 | 23-12 |
| UCF | 9-9 | 7 | 21-12 |
| West Virginia | 9-9 | 7 | 21-14 |
| Cincinnati | 9-9 | 7 | 18-15 |
| Colorado | 7-11 | 9 | 17-16 |
| Arizona State | 7-11 | 9 | 17-16 |
| Oklahoma State | 6-12 | 10 | 20-15 |
| Baylor | 6-12 | 10 | 17-17 |
| Kansas State | 3-15 | 13 | 12-20 |
| Utah | 2-16 | 14 | 10-22 |
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