University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
3-1
Central Arkansas
1-4
Tigers Find Their Range to Down Central Arkansas 81-49
Nov 24, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 24, 2009
Box Score | Quotes | Notes
MEMPHIS, Tenn.—After struggling to find its touch from beyond the arc in the first three games, the University of Memphis Tigers (3-1; 0-0 C-USA) rode a season best three point shooting performance to defeat the Central Arkansas Bears (1-4; 0-0 SLC) 81-49 Tuesday night. Memphis went 12-24 from deep, good for 50 percent in front of a crowd of 16,612 at FedExForum.
Elliot Williams led the Tigers in scoring for the fourth consecutive game with 20 points to go along with eight assists. This is his third straight game of 20 or more points. Williams also set new career highs in both three pointers made (four) and assists (eight).
For the second-straight game, four Tigers scored in double figures. Willie Kemp scored a season high tying 11 points and Wesley Witherspoon also added 11, his highest point total in a regular season match-up since scoring nine against Seton Hall on Nov. 21, 2008.
Tiger nation can rest a little easier as it appears that Roburt Sallie, who was 1-14 from the three point line coming into the game, found his stroke from beyond the arc. Sallie scored 17 points on 5-8 shooting, including 3-5 from beyond the arc. Sallie’s 17 points are the most since his memorable 35 point performance against CS-Northridge in the opening rounds of the 2009 NCAA Tournament.
Trailing 9-7 at the 11:45 mark in the first half, the Tigers would go on a 14-3 run marked by a trifecta of three’s from Williams to take the lead 21-12. Williams would go on to make four three’s in the game, a new career high.
“Our defensive game plan was to shut down the driving lanes and force them to take perimeter shots and close with a hand. And, early on, they missed the first five three pointers, but obviously ended up 12-24,” said UCA head coach Rand Chappell.
Witherspoon then hit a three pointer with 6:39 to extend the Memphis lead to 24-12. Memphis would put the game out of reach when Sallie stole the ball and converted a breakaway layup, despite being intentionally fouled. Sallie would make the foul shot, as well as the additional free throw from the intentional foul to complete a four point play and put the Tigers up 33-16.
Memphis didn’t let up after the break, starting out the second half 8-of-8, including 4-of-4 from three point range to extend the lead to make it 59-28 at the 12:41 mark.
Central Arkansas was led by Mitch Rueter, 17 point six rebound performance. Mike Pouncy was the only other Bear in double figures, netting 12 points in 25 minutes of action.
Memphis once again thrived off turnovers, forcing the Bears into 18 miscues and converting them into 25 points. Memphis’s bench outscored UCA’s 36-9.
The Tigers turned in an impressive shooting performance, going 27-of-50 (54 percent) from the floor, 12-of-24 (50 percent) from deep, and 15-of-20 (75 percent) from the charity stripe.
The Tigers’ D held UCA to 15-of-38 (39.5 percent) shooting including a meager 2-of-11 (18 percent) from three point range. The Bears also made only 17-of-28 (61 percent) from the free throw line.
“The first half we held [UCA] to 25 percent,” said Memphis head coach Josh Pastner. “But, the problem is in the second half we let them shoot 56 percent. That’s something we can’t do.”
This is the first series win for Memphis against Central Arkansas. The Tigers and Bears last played during the 1939-40 series prior to today’s game. With the win Memphis improves to 17-3 against opponents from the Southland Conference.
Next up for Memphis is a tilt with Oakland on Monday, November 30. The game is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. (CT) at FedExForum.
