Memphis defeated USF and Louisville defeated UAB

Memphis 81, South Florida 68

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Darius Washington scored 20 points and Anthony Rice, shooting from long-range early, added 19 Friday night as Memphis continued its run through the Conference USA Tournament with an 81-68 victory over South Florida.

Washington carried the Tigers down the stretch, hitting 6 of 11 from the field and all seven of his free throws. Rice connected on 6-of-9 from the field, including 4 of his 6 from outside the arc, for Memphis (19-14).

The seventh-seeded Tigers moved into Saturday's championship against No. 6 Louisville, the tournament's the top seed. The Cardinals defeated UAB 74-67 in Friday's other semifinal.

For USF (14-16), the first No. 11 seed to reach the C-USA semifinals, the loss ends an improbable road to the NCAA. Neither team would have reached the tournament without capturing the league's automatic berth, particularly for the Bulls with a losing record.

For Memphis, the hope remains alive as the Tigers reached the C-USA finals for the first time in the tournament's 10-year history.

Duane Erwin added 12 points for Memphis. Defensively, Jeremy Hunt had seven steals, part of the 19 turnovers by the Bulls.

Terrence Leather led USF with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Brian Swift had a team-high 17 points, while Solomon Jones finished with 12 and Marlyn Bryant scored 11.

USF used a run at the end of the game to cut the Tiger lead 78-67 but could never cut the lead under double digits.

Memphis opened with a rush, shooting 64 percent from the field in the first half, including half of its 12 from outside the arc to take a 45-24 lead at halftime. The Tigers pushed the ball inside to Erwin early, and the Memphis forward collected 10 points hitting all five of his shots.

Outside, however, it was Rice who was connecting, hitting five of seven shots, including missing only one of his five shots from outside to lead the Tigers with 14 points.

The Tigers led 60-40 at the 12-minute mark. But the Bulls weren't completely done. USF put together a 13-4 streak, and Leather's dunk with 8:54 left got the Bulls within 62-48.

I got to watch the last minute of that game, feel really bad of Washington. That kid will be an excellent player in the future. If I were coach Cal I would wait a couple of days, bring the kid in my office and tell him that he is the key to the future.

This has just been one of many good games today, UNC vs Ga Tech was a great game, TTU just beat OLK by a few and we are only halfway thought the day.

Louisville was just plain lucky , how many times have we all heard do not foul a guy taking a three especially that late in the game, he makes them and Memphis has the CUSA championship, Louisville lucks out to win as the go out the door.

By the way did anyone see the Kentucky / LSU game...really good especially the OT

NC STATE is up on DUkE..

MARSHALL 77 Wrote:Louisville was just plain lucky , how many times have we all heard do not foul a guy taking a three especially that late in the game, he makes them and Memphis has the CUSA championship, Louisville lucks out to win as the go out the door.

By the way did anyone see the Kentucky / LSU game...really good especially the OT

NC STATE is up on DUkE..

Luck went both ways in that game, Memphis' luck just happen to run out. It was a weird final 2 minutes which saw some bizzare things happen both ways.