University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
6-1
Montana State
4-4
Tigers Tame Bobcats, 76-51
Dec 09, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 9, 2009
Notes | Final Stats | Quotes
MEMPHIS, Tenn.--Memphis' defense continues to improve, and the Tigers continue to win.
Elliot Williams scored 22 points to go along with six rebound and a career high five steals as the University of Memphis (5-1) defeated Montana State University (4-4), 76-51, in front of an announced crowd of 16,077 at FedExForum.
This is the sixth consecutive game in which Williams has scored 20 or more points, the first Tiger to do so since Sean Banks in 2003-2004.
Wesley Witherspoon was the only other Tiger in double figures, notching 13 points and eight boards in 25 minutes. Both marks tie Witherspoon's career highs.
"Wesley played really well," said Memphis head coach Josh Pastner. "His line tonight had 13 points and eight rebounds. He was solid, plus two blocks."
Memphis used six points in the five minutes by Williams to jump out to an 8-2 lead at the 14:20 mark. A three point bucket by Wesley Witherspoon at the 10:34 put the Tigers ahead 17-5, stretching the lead to double digits for the remainder of the game.
The U of M closed the half on a 22-10 run, making the score 39-17 at halftime. The Tigers' 39 point total is the second most in a game this season. It is also the third time this season Memphis has held its opponent to 17 or fewer points in the first half.
Montana State came out firing in the second half, scoring eight straight points to start the half. The Bobcats would cut the lead to as low as 14 after a Cameron Henderson layup at the 14:26 mark made it 45-31.
"We came out in the first five minutes and played well, but the first five minutes of the second half we were nowhere to be found," said Pastner. "That can't happen."
Elliot Williams then stole the ball and used a give-and-go with Willie Kemp to slam home a fiery dunk and extend the lead to 49-33. A three point bucket at the 11:05 by Roburt Sallie extended the lead to 54-35 and effectively putting the game out of reach.
Memphis used its stifling "D" to hold the Bobcats to just 34.5 percent from the floor on 19-55 shooting. The Tigers also forced Montana State into 19 turnovers and converted them in to 23 points.
"I think we did a pretty good job against their pressure, but we had some pretty sloppy turnovers," said Montana State head coach Brad Huse. "Some of our turnovers they didn't force, and we have to correct that."
The Tigers have now held all seven of their opponents to under 60 points.
Branden Johnson was the only Bobcat player to score in double figures with 12 points in 31 minutes. Erik Rush added eight points and five rebounds.
Memphis also received solid performances from Sallie and Pierre Henderson-Niles. Sallie scored eight points on 3-of-6 shooting to go along with a career high seven assists. Henderson-Niles netted eight points, including a 15 foot step back jumper, and eight rebounds in 18 minutes.
The Tigers shot 45 percent from the field on 27-60 shooting, including a meager 6-of-22 (27 percent) from beyond the arc. Memphis also struggled at the free throw line, making just 16-of-31 (52 percent) from the line.
Memphis will now hit the road for the first time since playing Kansas as the Tigers take on Arkansas-Little Rock on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Verizon Arena in Little Rock, Ark.
