MEMPHIS, Tenn. --Four players scored in double figures for
Memphis, led by Elliott Williams with 23 and Doneal Mack with 20,
as the Tigers (2-1) dealt Tennessee Tech a 92-59 loss Friday night
in the FedEx Forum as part of the 2009 Hall of Fame Showcase.
Sophomore Kevin Murphy topped the Golden Eagles with 23 points and
freshman Jud Dillard (right) added a career-best 12 points, but
Tech (2-2) couldn't overcome 24 turnovers and some cool shooting.
The Tigers scored 27 points off turnovers.
Tech managed 42.6 percent from the field, including 22.2 percent
(2-for-9) from long range. The Golden Eagles hit only 11-for-18 at
the free throw line for 61.1 percent.
Memphis, which was the national runnerupin 2008, connected on
55.7 percent on its home floor, including 9-for-24 from outside the
arc. The Tigers blocked five shots and held a 38-31 edge in
rebounds.
The Golden Eagles had a hard time finding the range early in the
game, playing the first seven minutes before hitting their first
field goal. Tech forced some early Memphis turnovers to keep things
close for the first 10 minutes, but the Tigers eventually built a
40-23 lead by halftime.
Tech shot 34 percent in the first half, including just 1-for-6
from long distance.
The Golden Eagles heated up to 52 percent shooting in the second
half, but Memphis got even hotter -- hitting 67.9 percent
(19-for-28) after the break as the pace picked up. Murphy netted 15
of his 23 points in the second half.
In addition to Williams and Mack, Memphis got double-digit scoring
from guard Willie Kemp with 11 points and guard Roburt Sallie with
10. Kemp had six assists. Wesley Witherspoon added nine points and
Will Coleman contributed nine points, eight rebounds and three
blocked shots. Niles Henderson also grabbed eight rebounds for
Memphis.
For Tech, Bassey Inameti had seven points and four rebounds, the
only other Golden Eagle to score more than four in the contest.
After playing and splitting their first four games on the road,
the Golden Eagles finally come home Monday night to host Oakland
University in the third of four games in the Hall of Fame Showcase.
Tipoff in Eblen Center is at 7 p.m.
Season tickets and individual game tickets are on sale at the
Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center or by calling (931)
372-3940 weekdays during regular business hours. Tickets may also
be purchased online at TTUsports.com.
