Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Joe Jackson tallied 15 points as the Memphis
Tigers coasted to a 67-54 decision over the East Carolina Pirates in the
Conference USA opener for both sides at FedExForum.
Shaq Goodwin provided 12 points for Memphis (11-3, 1-0 C-USA) as it set a
league record with its 200th Conference USA victory. D.J. Stephens made an
impact on the glass with 11 rebounds.
Maurice Kemp and Shamarr Bowden scored 11 points each for ECU (9-5, 0-1).
Robert Sampson and Miguel Paul added 10 points apiece and they both
contributed in other ways as well. Sampson pulled down a team-high nine boards
while Paul dished out seven assists.
Memphis completely controlled the first half as it hit 48.6 percent of its
field goal attempts and limited the Pirates to just 6-of-20 shooting from the
floor. The dominant performance over the opening 20 minutes sent the Tigers
into halftime with a 39-19 lead.
The Pirates used the 3-point line to narrow the deficit after the break as
they hit 7-of-16 from beyond the arc while Memphis missed its only try from
distance. Although the Pirates closed the margin to a few as five points, they
were unable to get any closer which gave the Tigers their fifth consecutive
win.
Memphis held a sizeable 41-23 edge in the rebounding battle and converted 18
ECU turnovers into 19 points.
GAME NOTES:
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