South Florida defeats Memphis 96-89 at FedExForum: score, key stretches, and how the game aired

What happened

South Florida beat Memphis 96-89 on Thursday, March 5, 2026, in an American Conference men’s basketball game played at FedExForum in Memphis. The game was televised on ESPN2.

South Florida led 51-46 at halftime and matched Memphis point-for-point after the break, scoring 45 points in the second half to close out the seven-point road win.

How the result fits into the conference race

The matchup arrived with different stakes for each program. South Florida entered the night as the American Conference regular-season champion and brought a seven-game winning streak into Memphis. Memphis, meanwhile, was trying to strengthen its position near the conference tournament cutoff with two regular-season games remaining.

The final reinforced South Florida’s identity as a high-output offense in league play and left Memphis needing help from remaining results and its own finish to secure postseason footing.

Key stretches and game flow

The first half set the tone for a high-scoring night. South Florida’s 51-point opening half put immediate pressure on Memphis to keep pace rather than dictate a slower, defense-first rhythm. Memphis stayed within one possession at the break, but the margin remained thin throughout the second half.

With both teams scoring in the 40s after halftime, the game turned less on a single run and more on repeated one- or two-possession sequences—defensive stops, free-throw trips, and converting possessions that prevented the scoreboard from tilting back toward the home side.

Broadcast and game details

• Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026

• Site: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee

• Final score: South Florida 96, Memphis 89

• Halftime: South Florida 51, Memphis 46

• TV: ESPN2

Pregame context that shaped expectations

South Florida arrived in Memphis with one of the conference’s most productive offensive profiles, including a scoring rate in the high 80s per game and a lineup built to generate points through a combination of interior production, perimeter shooting, and frequent trips to the foul line. Memphis entered with a rotation that had leaned on multiple double-figure contributors and a defensive approach designed to force mistakes and create steals, particularly at home.

Final: South Florida 96, Memphis 89 — a 185-point night that reflected the pace and scoring pressure both teams brought into the matchup.