When the Memphis Tigers needed an identity on the road, Sincere Parker handed them one — a full-throttle, shot-making, never-back-down version that looked far more like what Penny Hardaway envisioned in October. The senior guard exploded for a career-high 40 points as Memphis knocked off UAB 90–80 Thursday night in Birmingham. It was the kind of performance that turns a .500 team into one that suddenly looks alive in February.
Parker Ignites a Road Revival
From the opening stretch, Parker looked locked in. He poured in 16 points in less than four minutes during the first half, scoring from every angle and forcing the Blazers into constant defensive adjustments. By halftime, he had 22 points, and Memphis was in control, leading 44–35.
When UAB fought back to make it a one-point game midway through the second half, Parker calmly reignited. Another scoring burst — this time 11 points in a three-minute sequence — put the Tigers back up by nine. The Blazers never seriously threatened again.
Parker finished the night 14-of-20 from the field, 6-of-8 from three, and a perfect 6-of-6 at the line to become just the 12th Tiger in program history to hit the 40-point mark. No player had achieved that inside Bartow Arena since at least 2016-17.
Perhaps most impressively, he did it all in under 26 minutes, becoming the first Division I player since at least 1997 to record 40 points, six threes, and perfection from the stripe in that span.
A Balanced Effort Beyond the Star
While Parker stole the spotlight, Memphis still needed depth and stability to close out a dangerous UAB team. Aaron Bradshaw continued his steady play with 12 points and six rebounds, and Thierno Sylla delivered a breakout performance, setting season highs with nine points and eight boards in 30 minutes.
The Tigers’ bench poured in 59 points, showing a level of contribution that has often eluded them this season. That cushion proved critical as Hardaway’s rotation adjusted to UAB’s energy and pace.
Memphis shot 52.4% overall and hit 40% from beyond the arc, staying composed offensively while forcing UAB into hurried looks. Defensively, the Tigers held the Blazers to 37.9% shooting and made them settle for 37 three-point attempts — a strategy that contained second-chance damage despite UAB’s 16 offensive rebounds.
Flashes of Progress, Lingering Issues
For a team still searching for consistency, Thursday’s win checked plenty of boxes. Memphis controlled the game for more than 34 minutes, played with poise through momentum swings, and produced one of its best shooting nights of the season. It was also the Tigers’ second road win of the year and their fifth straight over UAB, offering tangible signs of forward movement.
Still, there were reminders of what continues to hold them back. Sixteen turnovers translated into 25 UAB points, an issue that has repeatedly turned comfortable leads into close finishes. Even with improved ball movement — both teams shared 15 assists — Hardaway’s squad knows its margin for error remains thin, especially against the top of the American Conference.
Finding Confidence in February
Now sitting at 11–11 overall and 6–4 in the AAC, Memphis has steadied itself in the middle of the standings, with time to climb if Parker’s eruption can serve as a catalyst. For Hardaway and his Tigers, the challenge will be sustaining the intensity and cohesion they found in Birmingham.
Parker’s performance wasn’t simply about numbers — it was about leadership when things felt uncertain. After UAB’s second-half run trimmed the margin to one, he elevated his team with a poise that spoke of experience and pride.
What Comes Next
The Tigers head home for a Super Bowl Sunday showdown with Charlotte — a team tied for second in the league and playing with the kind of confidence Memphis hopes to maintain. FedExForum should be buzzing, and if the Tigers can channel Thursday’s fire, they might just turn a midseason surge into something bigger.
Memphis isn’t out of the woods yet, but Thursday night may have been the first real glimpse of what this team can become: balanced, resilient, and capable of catching fire when the moment demands it.
