University of Memphis guard Jeremiah Martin (3) passes the ball to a teammate during an AAC tournament game against UCF on Friday, March 15, 2019, at FedExForum in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis forward Isaiah Maurice (14) pulls up for a jump shot during an AAC tournament game against UCF on Friday, March 15, 2019, at FedExForum in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis forward Isaiah Maurice (14), guard Jeremiah Martin (3) and guard Antwann Jones (11) celebrate after the Tigers drain a 3-point shot during an AAC tournament game against UCF on Friday, March 15, 2019, at FedExForum in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis forward Kyvon Davenport (0) reaches for a rebound against University of Central Florida guard Terrell Allen (2) during an AAC tournament game against UCF on Friday, March 15, 2019, at FedExForum in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis forward Raynere Thornton (4) pulls down a rebound against University of Central Florida center Tacko Fall (24) during an AAC tournament game against UCF on Friday, March 15, 2019, at FedExForum in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis forward Kyvon Davenport (0) drives to the basket during an AAC tournament game against UCF on Friday, March 15, 2019, at FedExForum in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis forward Kyvon Davenport (0) pulls a rebound away from University of Central Florida guard Dayon Griffin (10) during an AAC tournament game against UCF on Friday, March 15, 2019, at FedExForum in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis forward Raynere Thornton (4) reacts to a foul call by the referee during an AAC tournament game against UCF on Friday, March 15, 2019, at FedExForum in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
University of Central Florida forward Collin Smith (35) struggles for a rebound against University of Memphis forward Mike Parks Jr. (10) during an AAC tournament game against UCF on Friday, March 15, 2019, at FedExForum in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis guard Kareem Brewton Jr. (5) drives to the basket for a layup during an AAC tournament game against UCF on Friday, March 15, 2019, at FedExForum in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis guard Alex Lomax (2) celebrates after the Tigers take down the University of Central Florida Knights in the quarterfinals of the American Athletic Conference tournament. The Tigers had a big win over the Knights, 79-55, to move on to play Houston on Saturday, Mar. 16. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis guard Tyler Harris (1) snatches the ball before it goes out of bounds during an AAC tournament game against UCF on Friday, March 15, 2019, at FedExForum in Memphis. (Houston Cofield/Daily Memphian)
Defense shines for Tigers in blowout second round win over UCF
The Memphis Tigers defense had a season best performance in the win over the UCF Knights Friday afternoon and now faces top seed and No. 11 ranked Houston in the semifinals.