University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
13-7, 6-3
East Carolina
8-12, 1-6
Tigers Sink Pirates 70-58
Jan 28, 2015 | Men's Basketball
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Another big night from Austin Nichols carried the Tigers to a 70-58 victory in an American Athletic Conference contest against East Carolina at FedExForum.
The Tigers used a strong first half to build a big lead, which they never relinquished as they moved to 13-7 (6-3 AAC) and dropped the Pirates to 8-12 (1-6 AAC). It was the Tigers second-straight victory and followed the thriller at Tulane, and third victory in a row at home.
Nichols finished with 21 points, five rebounds and a pair of blocks. As East Carolina started to close in on Memphis in the final minutes, Nichols made a few big free throws to help keep ECU at bay. Joining him in double digits were Trahson Burrell, who added three assists and three blocks of his own, and Nick King each dropped in 11.
ECU grabbed the first bucket of the game, but a jumper from Nichols and three from Avery Woodson got Memphis on the scoreboard and ahead. At the first media timeout with 15:45 remaining, Memphis held a 9-7 lead.
As the Tigers kept scoring, the Pirates found it more difficult to do so. Over the next 7:20, ECU had just one bucket, while Memphis had 15. When Michael Zangari knocked down a three to stop the run, Memphis led 24-12. The Tigers kept the lead in double-digits, and then Nick King cashed in on his second three of the season to give the Tigers a 39-24 lead at the break.
Markel Crawford got the scoring going in the second half with a dunk to give the Tigers what would be the biggest lead of the game 41-24.
Instead of folding, East Carolina started to cut into the lead. Caleb White knocked down a three, and then another. Terry Whisnant splashed a three of his own and suddenly the lead was down to 10. After a missed jumper, White took it down and got a layup, and then another three, this time from Paris Campbell made it a close game at 45-40 with almost 15 minutes to play.
The three-ball became a recurring theme for the Pirates as they knocked down eight in the second half and 13 overall, more than half of their 21 field goals. It was also one of the main reasons the Tigers lead was only four, 62-58, with 3:50 remaining.
However, the Tiger defense stepped up, and Nichols and King would take care of business on the offensive end.
King hit a jumper and then Nichols was fouled by Michael Zangari under the basket. It was ruled an intentional foul and Nichols knocked down both of them to bring the lead back to eight. Nichols then grabbed his lone assist as he found King for a layup to get the lead back to double-digits.
Nichols put the game beyond doubt by contesting a Zangari three-point attempt and then outracing everyone down the floor to catch a long pass from Kedran Johnson for a layup on the other end. The layup was the final points of the game with 1:09 remaining.
The Tigers shot a season-high 53.8 percent (28-52) from the field, while East Carolina shot 43.8 percent (21-48). A lack of missed shots resulted in a low rebounding total, but Memphis won the battle of the glass 28-24. The Memphis bench once again came on strong, scoring 28 points, and the UofM dominated the paint 34-12.
Ball movement was also a key for the Tigers as 19 of their 28 baskets came from assists.
Next up for the Tigers is a tough challenge on the road in Spokane, Wash., against the No. 3 Gonzaga Bulldogs. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. on Saturday. ESPN2 will carry the game.
