University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
#15 Alabama
Memphis 87 Tops Alabama In Shootout
Nov 18, 2005 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 18, 2005
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Darius Washington had 23 points and six assists as No. 12 Memphis ran past No. 15 Alabama 87-76 in the second round of the Preseason NIT on Thursday night.
The Tigers (2-0) kept Alabama off balance all night with an aggressive full-court press and a fastbreak that beat the Crimson Tide down court much of the game.
Memphis advanced to the semifinals against UCLA on Wednesday in New York. The 18th-ranked Bruins beat Temple 54-47 Thursday night.
Alabama (1-1) trailed 48-32 at halftime and by as many as 20 in the second half before cutting the lead to eight late in the game, thanks mostly to the shooting of reserve Justin Jonus.
Jonus lead the Tide with 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Jonus got all but two of his points in the second half.
The game featured two highly regarded point guards, Washington and Alabama's Ronald Steele. However, Steele was held to just eight points and three assists, and couldn't stop Washington who hit a key shot or started a fastbreak every time Alabama made a run.
Robert Dozier scored 11 points for Memphis and Rodney Carney had 10.
Jemario Davidson had 17 points and 19 rebounds for Alabama and Chuck Davis added 15.
The Tigers dominated the game from the opening tip, forcing a turnover in the opening minute. The Crimson Tide had nine first-half turnovers and 17 overall.
Memphis jumped out to an 18-10 lead in the first 5 minutes and never trailed.
Dozier, a freshman reserve, scored nine points in the first half as the Tigers used 12 players before the break.
