University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Eastern Kentucky
No. 20 Men's Basketball Trounces Eastern Kentucky, 111-74
Dec 01, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Dec 1, 2001
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Dajuan Wagner scored 14 of his 26 points during a 24-2 second-half run as No. 20 Memphis defeated Eastern Kentucky 111-74 Saturday night.
Kelly Wise added 24 points and 18 rebounds for Memphis (6-2). Chris Massie scored 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
Shawn Fields led Eastern Kentucky (2-3) with 20 points before fouling out with just under eight minutes to play. Spanky Parks finished with 13 and Clinton Sims scored 11 and added five assists.
Memphis led 50-37 at the half, but couldn't shake the Colonels. Through much of the first half, Eastern Kentucky stayed close hitting long-range jumpers.
The Colonels were 5-of-15 from 3-point range, including 3-of-5 by Fields, who had 12 in the half.
During the first half, Memphis coach John Calipari, who has criticized his team for not playing to its potential, became the most animated of the season. He bounced up and down on the sidelines, screaming at players, turning red in the face and sweating as he tried to encourage his players.
Eastern Kentucky stayed close, cutting the lead to 54-46 when Parks hit a layup with 16:36 remaining.
But Memphis went on a 24-2 run to extend its lead to 78-48 when Wagner hit a 3-pointer with 10:49 to play.
The Tigers were successful in the second half by working the ball inside when Wagner wasn't hitting from outside. The Tigers starting frontline of Massie, Wise and Earl Barron (eight points) shot 22-of-33 from the field.
Eastern Kentucky never threatened the rest of the way.
The Tigers dominated the boards 59-46, including 31 offensive rebounds. Eastern Kentucky was limited to 37 percent from the field and committed 30 turnovers against the Tigers' pressure defense.
