University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
#21 Louisville
Memphis Falls To No. 21 Louisville, 66-60
Feb 28, 2004 | Men's Basketball
By CHRIS DUNCAN
AP Sports Writer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Francisco Garcia scored 18 points Saturday and No. 21 Louisville snapped a four-game losing streak with a 66-60 victory over No. 19 Memphis.
Otis George added 11 points and eight rebounds for the Cardinals (18-7, 8-6 Conference USA), who won for just the second time in eight games.
Sean Banks scored 26 points and Antonio Burks added 22 for the Tigers (20-5, 11-3), who had an 11-game winning streak snapped.
Memphis committed a season-high 21 turnovers and shot 56 percent from the free throw line (14-for-25), its worst in a league game this season.
The Cardinals hit eight of their first nine shots and jumped to a 17-8 lead. But Louisville committed three consecutive turnovers and Memphis quickly closed the gap to 17-15.
Duane Erwin converted a three-point play with 7:13 left in the first half to give the Tigers their first lead, 22-21.
The Cardinals retook control with swarming defense, forcing seven straight turnovers in an 11-0 run. The Tigers finished the first half with 15 turnovers - more than they had in 16 games this season.
Two free throws by Kendall Dartez and a 3-pointer by Garcia pushed Louisville's eight-point halftime lead into double figures.
The Tigers missed their first nine shots after halftime, but the Cardinals also went cold, missing seven straight shots after Garcia's basket.
Burks' pullup jumper with 12:05 left ended a 9-minute Memphis field goal drought. Banks made two free throws 33 seconds later to trim Louisville's lead to 45-35.
The Cardinals led 58-48 when Banks hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 6:03 left. George hit a short jumper in the lane, but Burks sank a shot in the lane and a 3-pointer to trim the Tigers' deficit to 60-56.
Louisville led 61-57 when Burks lost the ball to George on a drive. Garcia then found George open for a dunk with 33 seconds left.
Garcia pumped his fist as the capacity crowd came alive. Banks silenced the fans by banking in a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 25 seconds to go.
Nate Daniels hit two free throws with 25 seconds left and Jenkins rebounded a 3-point miss by Burks to seal the win. Jenkins added a free throw with 13 seconds left.
Rodney Carney, Memphis' third-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder, did not play in the second half after twisting his right ankle in the first.
