If the Tigers proved nothing else Sunday afternoon at FedExForum, they showed that they could beat a team wearing orange on their home floor. (The last four Memphis home defeats: Texas, Syracuse, and Tennessee twice.) After a somewhat sluggish start — the Tigers led merely 19-17 at the 10:26 mark of the first half — the U of M went on a 33-8 scoring binge before halftime to hand the Huskies their 12th loss in 13 games. Roburt Sallie led the Tigers with a season-high 20 points, while Elliot Williams added 15 points and eight assists. Sallie and Willie Kemp combined to hit seven of 12 three-point attempts.
Playing in only its third season of Division I basketball, HBU looked overmatched in terms of size and quickness. The Tigers forced 26 turnovers, blocked 14 shots and outrebounded the Huskies, 47-35.
- Larry Kuzniewski
- Elliot Williams
Coming three days after a deflating loss to Tennessee, the game served as a confidence builder for Memphis as the team prepares to face fifth-ranked Syracuse on Wednesday. “We were focused on ball pressure,” said Williams after the game. “Making them turn the ball over. We’re trying to fine-tune our offense and defense. It helped that they played a zone, because Syracuse will.”
