University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
#15 Texas
Tigers Unable To Lasso Longhorns
Jan 06, 2005 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 6, 2005
By Jim Vertuno
AP Sports Writer
AUSTIN, Texas - P.J. Tucker scored four points in the final 42 seconds, including a fastbreak dunk after a turnover, and No. 15 Texas muscled past Memphis for a rugged 74-67 victory Thursday night.
Texas led 69-67 when the Longhorns pressured Memphis guard Darius Washington into losing the ball as the shot clock was winding down.
Tucker tipped the ball forward, picked it up and raced downcourt to throw down a one-handed jam over Memphis' Rodney Carney.
Tucker, who led Texas with 18 points, was fouled after rebounding Washington's missed 3-pointer and hit both free throws with 17 seconds left to seal the victory.
Daniel Gibson added 17 points for the Longhorns (11-2).
Washington scored 23 points and Carney had 18 for Memphis (7-7), which has lost five of its last seven games.
The rough-and-tumble game showcased a flashy backcourt matchup between freshmen point guards Washington and Gibson.
Both were All-Americas in high school and showed off their strengths. Washington used his slippery quickness to drive to the basket for layups while Gibson hit three 3-pointers, the last giving Texas a 66-63 lead with 4:07 left after Washington had just tied it.
The teams played a rough, physical contest from the opening tipoff as Memphis' beefy frontcourt challenged Texas on every ball near the basket and players from both teams dived to the floor in wild chases for loose balls.
Memphis coach John Calipari drew a warning for wandering too far up court to protest a foul and Tucker and Memphis' Joey Dorsey were summoned by a game official to calm down their physical play.
Texas held the biggest lead of the first half at 28-21 before a 7-2 Memphis run kept the Longhorns from grabbing momentum. Sean Banks and Dorsey both had dunks and Banks hit a 3-pointer for the Tigers before the teams went into halftime tied at 36.
The rough play continued in the second half. After Gibson hit a 3-pointer, Memphis' Arthur Barclay was called for an intentional foul on Texas' Brad Buckman, who hit four free throws in a 9-3 run that opened a 47-39 lead.
But Memphis wouldn't allow Texas to get the lead into double digits and the Tigers twice rallied before Washington tied it at 63 with a slashing drive for a scoop layup. But Memphis didn't hit another field goal over the final 5 minutes.
It was the last non-conference game of the season for both teams.
Texas opens Big 12 play on Sunday at home against Baylor. Memphis starts its Conference USA schedule on Sunday against Southern Mississippi.
