University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Southern Miss
Memphis Falls To Southern Miss., 75-67
Dec 27, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 27, 2000
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Vandarel Jones and David Wall scored 25 points each Wednesday night to lead Southern Mississippi to a 75-67 victory over Memphis.
Jones added a team-high eight rebounds as the Golden Eagles (10-1, 1-0 Conference USA) held off a late rally by the Tigers (4-8, 0-1).
Southern Mississippi led by as many as 13 in the second half. But Memphis, with a late 3-point shooting burst, cut the lead 68-65 with 1:05 remaining.
However, the Golden Eagles converted Memphis' subsequent missed shots into breakaway baskets. Southern Mississippi scored seven straight points to rebuild a 10-point advantage with 11.2 seconds left.
Kelly Wise led Memphis with 19 points and eight rebounds before fouling out, while Shyron Chatman added 16.
Southern Mississippi led 39-30 at the half behinds Jones' 14 points and 11 by Wall.
The Golden Eagles never trailed, and led 36-24 when Wall hit a layup with 3:28 to go before the break.
Southern Mississippi maintained its lead through the early stages of the second half, leading 50-37 when Jones scored inside with 14:14 left.
Memphis twice cut the lead to three the rest of the way, the last with 1:05 remaining on consecutive 3-point goals by Chatman and Shannon Forman.
From there, Wall scored five points down the stretch to eventually rebuild the Southern Mississippi lead to 10.
Memphis was hampered by foul trouble and a lack of players. Only eight players dressed for the game and two fouled out. Two Tiger players are injured and two others are under indefinite suspension for unspecified disciplinary reasons.
Additionally, a stingy Golden Eagle defense held Memphis to 39 percent shooting from the field. Southern Mississippi shot 47.1 percent and converted 25-of-35 free throws.
