Jan. 19, 2008

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Southern Miss suffered its worst loss of the season Saturday night at the FedEx Forum, falling 83-47 to No. 2 Memphis.

Southern Miss (9-9, 1-3 C-USA) began the game 1-of-7 from the field. But, the Golden Eagles got into a groove, and took an 8-7 lead on two Craig Craft free throws. After trading buckets, Craft and Andre Stephens hit back-to-back buckets for a 12-9 Golden Eagle lead seven minutes into the game.

However, Memphis went on a 7-0 run over the next minute and a half to take a 16-12 lead. The teams then traded baskets for the next seven minutes, before the Tigers went on a 20-4 run to end the half. Memphis held Southern Miss to just one field goal over the final eight minutes of the first half, going into the break with a 44-23 advantage.

Memphis (17-0. 4-0 C-USA) continued its hot shooting in the second half, extending its lead to as many as 31 by hitting nine of its first 13 shots. The Tigers kept the pressure on, eventually leading by 40 with 4:25 remaining.

The Golden Eagles outrebounded Memphis, 44-40. However, the Tigers shot 51.7% (31-60) from the field, while Southern Miss shot just 25.5% (14-55). Memphis was also 9-of-18 (50.0%) from behind the arc, while the Golden Eagles were held without a three-pointer (0-for-14) for the first time since January 10, 2007 at SMU.

Jeremy Wise and R.L. Horton led Southern Miss with nine points each and Courtney Beasley scored eight. Andre Stephens added ten rebounds for the Golden Eagles.

Chris Roberts-Douglas led the second-ranked Tigers with 19 points. Derrick Rose scored 13 points, and Doneal Mack had 12 points. Robert Dozier added ten rebounds for Memphis.

Southern Miss will take a week break in between games. The Golden Eagles will next face Rice on Saturday, January 26, at 4:00 p.m.