University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
UAB
Men's Basketball Falls At UAB, 64-46
Feb 08, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2002
By JOHN ZENOR
AP Sports Writer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Morris Finley had 19 points and Will Campbell had 14 points and 14 rebounds as UAB beat Memphis 64-46 Friday night to end the Tigers' 10-game winning streak.
The Tigers (20-5, 10-1 Conference USA), off to their best start since 1986, were held to a season-low in points - 37 below their average. Their previous low was 64 in a win over Temple.
Two weeks after dealing UAB (11-12, 4-6) its worst loss of the season 102-81, Memphis shot just 30 percent from the floor and never led.
The Blazers effectively slowed down play and all but eliminated any fast-break opportunities for Memphis while dominating the boards 43-33.
They had lost the past three meetings, and a number of students celebrated by surrounding the team at midcourt.
Memphis cut it to 44-39 with nine minutes left but went into a four-minute scoring drought and managed only one basket in the next eight. Finley hit a 3-pointer, Collins hit a pullup jumper and Ransom converted a three-point play for an 8-0 run to regain control.
The Tigers were just 8-of-35 from the floor in the second half, missing all 10 3-point tries.
UAB freshman Jeffrey Collins, making his first start, had 12 points. Memphis native Myron Ransom had seven of his nine points in the second half.
Dajuan Wagner led Memphis with 16 points but was just 6-of-23 from the floor.
The Blazers used the slow-down play to forge a 24-12 lead in the first 11 minutes, holding the ball at least 20 seconds virtually every time down the floor.
The Tigers closed the gap with a 9-2 run capped by McFagdon's off-balance 3-pointer with 4:15 left. Memphis inbounded the ball with four seconds left and Antonio Burks hit a running 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to make it 30-26, the closest score since UAB's 6-4 lead in the opening minutes.
