University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Vanderbilt
Memphis Downs Vanderbilt In NIT Quarterfinals, 81-68
Mar 24, 2005 | Men's Basketball
March 24, 2005
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Rodney Carney scored 26 points, and Darius Washington added 23 and seven assists to lift Memphis over Vanderbilt 81-68 Wednesday night in the quarterfinals of the NIT.
Anthony Rice had 11 points, and Duane Erwin scored 10 and grabbed 15 rebounds, putting Memphis (22-15) into the NIT semifinals for the third time in five years. The Tigers will play Saint Joseph's, a 58-51 winner over Texas A&M earlier Wednesday, in New York next Tuesday night.
Shan Foster led Vanderbilt (20-14) with 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 6-of-11 from 3-point range. Julian Terrell scored 11 points for the Commodores.
On several occasions in the second half, Carney got free for 3-pointers and drove against the Vanderbilt trapping press. He made five of his six shots in the half, helping Memphis build a double-digit lead.
Washington sealed the victory by hitting six straight free throws down the stretch.
Vanderbilt, coming off a thrilling last-second win over Wichita State on Monday night, stayed close until midway through the second half when Memphis scored nine straight points to put the game out of reach.
There were five ties and three lead changes in the first half, but the Tigers closed the period with an 8-2 run to carry a 36-29 advantage into the break.
Vanderbilt used its cutting offense to get to the basket and have open 3-pointers. Foster connected on three of his five shots from outside the arc in the first half to lead the Commodores with 11 points, including eight as Vanderbilt jumped to an early lead.
Memphis, meanwhile, tried to get its transition game running. Washington and Carney had nine points for the Tigers.
The Tigers opened the second half with Carney and Rice helping build the lead to 49-37 with 14:14 left.
But the Commodores stayed close with pesky defense and got to 51-48 on Dawid Przybyszewski's 3-pointer.
Memphis answered with the 9-0 run to rebuild the lead to double digits.
