Postgame Notes

Dec 11, 2011 | Men's Basketball

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Murray State (10-0) 76, #20/21 Memphis (5-3) 72
December 11, 2011
FedExForum (Memphis, Tenn.)

Memphis Postgame Notes

Series Notes

• The 76-72 Murray State win marks the Racers’ first victory over the Tigers since Jan. 19, 1994.
• Despite the loss, Memphis still leads the overall series with Murray State, 34-27.
• The Racers are now 1-0 all-time against the Tigers in FedExForum. The last meeting between the two teams was a 2002 contest at The Pyramid.

Career Highs

• Will Barton: 27 points (tied)

Season Highs

• Chris Crawford: 7 assists (tied)
• Tarik Black: 9 rebounds
• Wesley Witherspoon: 8 rebounds
• Team: .450 three-point percentage allowed

Game Notes

• Memphis is now 0-3 when trailing at the half this year after a 34-29 deficit against Murray State.
• The Tiger loss marks the first time this season Memphis has lost despite posting assists on at least 50 percent of its baskets (15 assists on 25 field goals). Memphis is now 3-1 this season when assisting on at least half of its baskets after going 13-3 last year.
• Memphis was outscored 23-11 on the fast break. The Tigers are 0-3 this year when being outscored in fast break points and 5-0 when topping their opponents in that category.
• With 27 points, Will Barton topped the 20-point mark for the third-straight game and the sixth time in eight games this year. In the last three contests, Barton is averaging 25.3 points per game.
• Jackson reached the 20-point mark for the third time this year with 20 points while Tarik Black reached double digits for the third time this year with 11 points.
• The first half was entirely a game of runs. Murray State laid down the gauntlet with an 11-2 run to open the game until Memphis responded with a 14-6 run to get back within one point. The Racers extended their lead with a 12-0 spurt, to which the Tigers once again responded with a 13-5 run to reach the halftime score of 34-29, Murray State.
• During the half, Memphis held Murray State scoreless from the field for periods of 5:54 and 6:54 while the Racers held the Tigers without a bucket for a period of 5:20.
• Memphis earned its first lead of the game at 37-34 on a Barton three-pointer with 18:44 left in the second half. The bucket capped an 8-0 run to open the second half.
• With Memphis leading 47-46, Murray State broke the game open with a 17-4 run that allowed the Racers to take a 63-51 lead with 8:32 left to play.
• After falling behind 71-60 with 1:58 left in the game, Memphis scored 12 of the next 14 points to cut the lead to one at 73-72 but came up just short of the win.