Memphis star PJ Haggerty took it personally after Penny Hardaway highlights "embarrassing" situation from Wichita State game
PJ Haggerty and the Memphis Tigers extended their winning streak to three games on Sunday, crushing the UAB Blazers 100-77 at FedExForum. Haggerty was one of five players who scored in double figures for the Tigers, who improved their overall record to 16-4.
Haggerty led all scorers with 23 points. He shot 9-for-16 from the field, including a perfect 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. It was the 14th time this season that Haggerty scored at least 20 points in a game for No. 24 Memphis. He also had nine assists, six rebounds and three steals in 34 minutes of action.
A reporter asked Haggerty and Dain Dainja in the postgame press conference if they took Penny Hardaway's message to heart and focused on reducing turnovers compared to their game against Wichita State. The Memphis coach had criticized his players for their "embarrassing" performance after turning the ball over 20 times in their 61-53 win over the Shockers.
"Yeah, for sure," Haggerty said (Timestamp 1:30). "I think the less turnovers, the more possessions you get. As you see, got a hundred points. I don’t know how many turnovers we had but I know it was less than what we normally get."
PJ Haggerty was right with his estimate as the Tigers committed just 13 turnovers against the Blazers. Haggerty, who had five turnovers against Wichita State, took better care of the basketball in the win over UAB, turning the ball over just twice in the rout.
PJ Haggerty gets help from Dain Dainja in Memphis' win over UAB
PJ Haggerty wasn't the only Memphis player to wreak havoc against the UAB defense. Dain Dainja also delivered for coach Penny Hardaway, scoring 21 points and grabbing eight rebounds. He was efficient on the offensive end, making 10 of his 12 field-goal attempts.
Fellow starters Colby Rogers and Nicholas Jourdain also contributed, scoring 12 and 11 points, respectively. Rogers, who also had three rebounds and three steals, scored all of his points from beyond the arc. He shot 4-of-6 from the 3-point area.
Efrem Johnson led the Blazers in their losing effort, scoring 21 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the floor. Bradley Ezewiro and Yaxel Lendeborg supported Johnson on the offensive end, dropping 19 and 18 points, respectively.