University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
7-1
Little Rock
4-6
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 29 | 54 | 83 |
| UALR | 34 | 37 | 71 |
Memphis Rallies to Defeat UALR 83-71
Dec 12, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 12, 2009
Final Stats | Notes
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--Elliot Williams scored 20 second half points to lead the University of Memphis Tigers (7-1;0-0 C-USA)to an 83-71 comeback victory over the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans (4-6;0-0 SunBelt) Saturday afternoon at the Verizon Arena.
Elliot Williams becomes the first Tiger since Anfernee Hardaway during the 1992-93 season to score 20 or more points in seven-straight contests. Hardaway had 12-consecutive games where he scored 20 or more points. Williams also connected on a career high 11 free throws.
Roburt Sallie scored a season high 18 points to go along with three assists. Doneal Mack added 12 on 4-11 shooting. Pierre Henderson-Niles also added 10 points, the first time he has scored in double figures since notching 12 against Syracuse on December 20, 2008.
Memphis struggled the entire first half to overcome foul trouble and poor shooting as Elliot Williams and Wesley Witherspoon both picked up three personals before the 6:00 minute mark. The Tigers displayed toughness, however, and scraped their way into halftime trailing just 34-29.
After the break, the Tigers came alive, making a trifecta of three pointers to tie the game at 38 with 18:06 remaining. After a press defense forced a turnover by UALR, Williams drove hard to the bucket to force a foul. He then knocked down two free throws to give Memphis its first lead of the game at 40-38. Roburt Sallie's two free throws at the 15:21 mark capped an 18-4 run to start the second half for the Tigers.
Memphis would extend its lead to as many as 13 when a Doneal Mack three pointer made it 64-51 at the 8:55 mark.
UALR refused to give in and went on a quick 10-4 run to cut the margin to seven. Consecutive three pointers from Williams and Witherspoon, who scored nine points in limited action due to foul trouble, extended the lead back to 13, making it 74-61 with just 3:21 remaining.
Solomon Bozeman led the Trojans with a game high 23 points on 9-18 shooting. Three point specialist Matt Mouzy added 16 (4-7 from three point range) and Mike Smith chipped in 10.
After shooting a dismal 38.5 percent in the first half, the Tigers found their stroke after the break, shooting 14-22 (9-16 from three point range) in the second half to rally from behind. Memphis made 12 threes in the game, tying a season high set against Central Arkansas.
Memphis's 54 points in the second half are the most it has scored in a single half this season. UALR is also the first opponent to total more than 60 points in a single game against the Tigers.
Memphis will break for finals week before traveling to Boston, Mass. for a non-conference tilt with Massachusetts on December 19 at 5:00 p.m. (CT).
