University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
UAB
Tigers Tromp Blazers, 102-81
Jan 23, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Jan 23, 2002
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Kelly Wise scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds Wednesday to lead Memphis to a 102-81 victory over UAB to remain undefeated in Conference USA.
Wise, who was 8-of-11 from the field, led five Tigers (16-4, 6-0 C-USA) in double figures as Memphis won its 10th game in the last 11 starts.
The loss was the fourth straight for the Blazers (8-11, 1-5) and marked the first time UAB coach Murry Bartow has lost four straight in his six years as head coach.
Anthony Rice, starting in place of disciplined starter Dajuan Wagner, added 19 for Memphis on 6-of-10 shooting. Wagner and Earl Barron finished with 15 each, while Antonio Burks finished with 12 and 10 assists.
Wagner and Burks, the Tigers starting guards, were benched at the start of the game for violating the team's performance agreement. Memphis coach John Calipari would not specify the violation, but the areas of commitment include class attendance, studying, a daily team breakfast and commitment to basketball.
Will Campbell led the Blazers with 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Eric Batchelor added 16. Morris Finley and Jeffrey Collins scored 12 and 11 points respectively.
Memphis led 47-30 at the half behind a 57 percent shooting performance and 11 points from Rice.
The Blazers stayed close through the first 11 minutes and trailed 23-19 when Memphis rattled off 10 straight points for a 33-19 lead. The Tigers eventually would lead by as many as 18 in the first half.
UAB cut it to 14 early in the second half, but Memphis continued to maintain its comfortable advantage, building the lead to 28 in the second half.
Memphis finished the game shooting 55 percent, while UAB connected on 39.5 percent.
