University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
9-2
IUPUI
9-5
Memphis Win 23rd Straight Home Contest, Topping IUPUI, 87-67
Dec 28, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 28, 2009
Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery 
MEMPHIS, Tenn.-Elliot Williams scored a career high 27 points to lead all scorers as the University of Memphis Tigers (9-2) defeated the IUPUI Jaguars (9-5) Monday afternoon at FedExForum. Williams has now scored 20 or more points in nine of 11 games this season.
Pierre Henderson-Niles secured a career high with 15 points against the Jaguars. Henderson-Niles scored 11 points, tallied seven rebounds, blocked three shots and had one steal in only nine minutes of play in the first half. He also scored the first seven points of the game for Memphis.
Wesley Witherspoon knocked down a career high three trifectas to score 11 points in 21 minutes of action. This is the third consecutive game Witherspoon has notched double figures. Willie Kemp also netted nine points to go along with a career high nine assists.
"I give a lot of credit to Willie Kemp," said Memphis head coach Josh Pastner. "He had eight assists and zero turnovers today, which is a terrific stat. He did a really nice job. I’m very proud of Willie and that’s that."
IUPUI kept it close through the first eight minutes and trailed just 16-15 at the 12:13 mark. Memphis then went on a 24-6 run to make it 40-21 with 7:47 remaining and would take a 47-34 advantage into the break.
The Jaguars made two free throws to open the second half and cut the lead to 47-36. A quick 7-0 run by the Tigers then pushed the lead to 54-36. IUPUI would not cut the lead to fewer than 13 points for the remainder of the game.
"I thought our kids played hard," said IUPUI head coach Ron Hunter. "Memphis was 11 of 19 from the three and that was the difference in the game. We withstood their defensive pressure for the most part, but they killed us on the glass and they made threes. With those two things happening, you can't win."
IUPUI was led by Leroy Nobles, who scored 18 points on 5 of 11 shooting. Alex Young added 16 points to go along with a team high seven rebounds.
Memphis once again used turnovers to its advantage, forcing IUPUI into 15 giveaways and converting them into 24 points. Memphis also limited IUPUI to just 39.6 percent shooting.
The Tigers put together an all around stellar effort on the offensive end, shooting 51.6 percent of 33-64 shooting. Memphis also knocked down 11 of 19 three point baskets, good for 57.9 percent.
Memphis now has two days off before a New Year's Eve tilt against in state foe Tennessee. The game is slated for a 3 p.m. tipoff at FedExForum.
