The postgame press conference had ended when Memphis basketball’s All-America guard PJ Haggerty leaned forward, speaking into the microphone.

BOTTOM LINE: No. 16 Memphis plays in the AAC Tournament against Tulane. The Tigers have gone 17-2 against AAC teams, with a 10-3 record in non-conference play. Memphis is fourth in the AAC with 14.6 assists per game led by PJ Haggerty averaging 3.8.

To try and keep pace with a scorching UAB offense, Pirates’ guard RJ Felton led the game in shot attempts and scoring, finishing the game with 31 points on 19 shots. It wasn’t enough for East Carolina, whose starters outside of Felton combined for just 32 points total.