University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
-177, 72 CUSA
UCF
-1112, 36 CUSA
Memphis Survives UCF, 76-70
Feb 10, 2010 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 10, 2010
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
Preston McClellan, Undergraduate Assistant -
MEMPHIS, Tenn.--Roburt Sallie and Doneal Mack each scored 15 points and three other Tigers notched double-figures as the Memphis Tigers (17-7;7-2 C-USA) defeated the UCF Knights (11-12;3-6 C-USA) 76-70 Wednesday evening at FedExForum.
Wesley Witherspoon (12), Willie Kemp (10) and Elliot Williams (10) all also tallied double-figures to help the Memphis basketball program earn its 1,400th win. This is the fourth time this season five players have scored in double figures for Memphis (Houston, Houston Baptist, SEMO, UCF)
UCF kept it close the entire first half and had the game tied at 34 apiece before Roburt Sallie drained a three-pointer just before halftime to give Memphis a 37-34 lead.
Memphis used the momentum it had going into the break and started the second half on a 9-1 to extend its lead to 46-35, and it appeared the Tigers were going to put the game away.
The Knights fought back, however, with a 12-0 run of their own to retake the lead 47-46 with 13:25 remaining.
The Tigers found themselves trailing 62-59 with just 7:05 remaining before Doneal Mack successfully completed a rare four-point play to give the Tigers a 63-62 lead. It was the first lead for Memphis in over four minutes of play.
"That was the difference in the game," said UCF head coach Kirk Speraw. "Give "Doneal" Mack credit for making the shot. That shot is what got them over the hump and settled them down and gave them the lead and a comfort zone. That bucket sucked a lot of life out of us and it was just one of those things."
UCF managed to keep it close down the stretch, trailing only 69-67 with 2:59 to play. Elliot Williams then found Wesley Witherspoon under the basket for an emphatic jam to put Memphis up 71-67, its biggest lead since the 15:03 mark of the second half.
Memphis would then play solid defense and make clutch free throws down the stretch to put UCF away.
UCF was led by A.J. Tyler, who scored 18 points and grabbed six boards in 34 minutes of action. Keith Clanton (12), A.J. Rompza (10) and Marcus Jordan (10) all netted double figures for the Knights.
The Tigers out-rebounded UCF 34 to 19, including a 13-4 advantage on the offensive glass. Memphis had only outrebounded two C-USA opponents coming into Wednesday's game (Marshall and East Carolina).
Memphis staved off back-to-back losses once again on Wednesday night after falling to No. 17/13 Gonzaga on Saturday night. Memphis has not lost back-to-back games since losing four-straight from Feb. 23 through March 5, 2005.
Drew Barham made his first career start on Wednesday night. The Memphis freshman came into the game averaging 4.7 minutes per contest. He notched three points and one assist in 10 minutes.
Angel Garcia tallied his first career points on a three-point play at the 8:24 mark in the first half on Wednesday. The sophomore made his first appearance as a Tiger on Saturday against Gonzaga. Garcia sat the first 23 games because of an ACL tear he suffered prior to the start of the season. He missed the 2008-09 season due to NCAA Clearinghouse issues.
The Tigers now travel to Tulsa, Okla. for a showdown on Saturday, February 13 with the Golden Hurrican. The game is slated for a 6:00 p.m. (CT) tip-off.
