Memphis overwhelms Charlotte 77-54 at FedExForum, using defense and balance to control AAC matchup

Memphis builds decisive first-half lead and never trails

Memphis routed Charlotte 77-54 on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at FedExForum, opening the game with an early lead and controlling the matchup throughout. The Tigers led 37-17 at halftime after holding Charlotte to 6-of-22 shooting in the first 20 minutes and forcing 10 first-half turnovers.

The result moved Memphis to 12-11 overall and 7-4 in American Athletic Conference play, while Charlotte fell to 13-11 overall and 7-4 in league action. Memphis’ 20-point halftime margin proved decisive; Charlotte did not reduce the deficit below 17 points in the second half.

Defense set the tone, with Charlotte’s offense stalled early

Charlotte’s first-half struggles were defined by a combination of missed shots and ball-security problems. The 49ers were held to 17 points before the break, their lowest first-half output of the season, and reached double figures only in the final minutes of the half. Memphis combined pressure defense with interior control, building separation without needing an unusually high scoring pace.

For the game, Memphis held Charlotte to 36.8% shooting overall and 21.9% from three-point range (7-of-32). Charlotte also got to the free-throw line infrequently, finishing 5-of-9, limiting opportunities to stabilize scoring during extended droughts.

Balanced Memphis scoring and paint production widened the gap

Memphis produced a six-player, double-figure scoring distribution that kept Charlotte from loading up on any single option. Aaron Bradshaw led the Tigers with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, adding six rebounds and two blocks. Julius Thedford posted 11 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season, along with four assists and three steals.

Sincere Parker added 11 points, while Curtis Givens III, Ashton Hardaway and Thierno Sylla scored 10 apiece. Memphis shot 46.0% (29-of-63) and recorded 17 assists, with points in the paint a major separator in the final margin.

Charlotte’s late pushes were answered quickly

Charlotte received a team-high 14 points from Arden Conyers and 12 from Dezayne Mingo, but the 49ers struggled to sustain runs long enough to change the game’s trajectory. After halftime, Memphis maintained a lead of roughly 20 points for most of the period, answering Charlotte baskets with timely interior scores and perimeter makes.

• Final score: Memphis 77, Charlotte 54
• Halftime: Memphis 37, Charlotte 17
• Key Memphis scorers: Bradshaw 16; Thedford 11 points, 11 rebounds
• Key Charlotte scorers: Conyers 14; Mingo 12

The game’s defining stretch came after a competitive opening: Memphis turned an early single-digit margin into a commanding first-half lead and converted that control into a wire-to-wire win.