March 5, 2008

Box Score vs. Memphis in PDF Format

Season Stats in PDF Format

DALLAS (AP) -- Tigers' Derrick Rose scored 19 points and Chris Douglas-Roberts added 18, leading No. 2 Memphis past SMU 72-55 on Wednesday night, extending the Tigers' road winning streak to 18 games.

Memphis (29-1, 15-0 Conference USA) finished unbeaten on the road for the first time since 1960-61, going 10-0.

This was the Tigers' 38th straight league victory and the 100th Conference USA win for coach John Calipari. He is 100-25 in eight seasons with the Tigers.

Douglas-Roberts scored just before halftime, then had a layup in the opening seconds of the second half. The Tigers led 40-26 and would remain ahead by at least 10 points the rest of the game.

Rose scored eight of Memphis' first 12 points in the second half and had 12 after halftime. He finished 8-of-14 for the field, and Douglas-Roberts went 9-of-18. The rest of the team combined for only a dozen baskets. Overall, the Tigers shot 44.6 percent.

Antonio Anderson and Doneal Mack both scored nine points, with Mack's coming on a run of three straight 3s during a spurt that took Memphis from trailing 9-7 to leading 16-9.

Dorsey, who missed practice Tuesday because of a stomach bug, didn't start but went in after only a few minutes. He had six points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes.

Jon Killen led SMU with 16 points and Bamba Fall had 11, eight rebounds and four blocks.

Playing before a big crowd at home, and wearing uniforms from their only Final Four team--the 1956 squad that lost to Bill Russell and eventual national champion San Francisco in the semifinals--coach Matt Doherty's Mustangs made mistakes when they had chances to cut into the lead.

In the second half alone, they failed to inbound the ball in the alloted 5 seconds, got a shot clock violation after a potentially momentum-building defensive play and missed the front end of a 1-and-1 when both free throws would have pulled them within nine points with about 7 minutes left.

Memphis won its third straight since losing its perfect season and No. 1 ranking to Tennessee.

The Tigers, who clinched a third straight conference title in their previous game, play their regular-season finale at home Saturday against UAB.

SMU vs. Memphis March 5, 2008

JOHN CALIPARI, MEMPHIS HEAD COACH "Great environment. I thought that SMU did a great job of keeping the game interesting. They kept the game to where they had a chance. "

On finding a good balance: "We did good stuff today. We didn't turn it over, but we don't do that. We only turn it over 11 or 12 times a game, even as fast as we play."

Matt Doherty, SMU HEAD COACH "I'm proud of our guys and our effort, especially the seniors. It was a fun game. I thought a hard-fought game, but Memphis is just too darn good. It's been a problem all year; we don't handle the ball great. We had 22 turnovers and they get 25 points. They get almost 20 more shots than we do and everything else is almost even. I just wish we could take care of the ball better. But it was a great atmosphere, a lot of fun and I think a sign of things to come."

Jon Killen, SMU SENIOR GUARD On playing in front of the largest crowd since 2001: "It was fun. As players, you don't get the opportunity to play against a top-five team all the time and this crowd here doesn't always get that opportunity, so I think everybody just tried to make the most of it and it was really fun for us. When we hit those big shots, to hear the crowd behind you it really adds atmosphere and to your confidence."

Derrick Roberts, SMU SENIOR GUARD On his last game: "I was emotional, but I was trying to hold it. It was kind of hard, especially when coach pulled us out. And to know that this was the last game you are going to play college basketball in front of a home crowd, I'm speechless."