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Memphis routs Tennessee-Martin

Nov 24, 2010 - 6:04 AM Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Will Barton and Will Coleman both scored 20 points, as the No. 14 Memphis Tigers defeated the University of Tennessee- Martin Skyhawks, 102-80, at FedEx Forum.

Joe Jackson posted 16 points for the Tigers (5-0), who remained perfect on the young season and will host Arkansas State and Western Kentucky before a trip to Kansas on December 7. Angel Garcia netted 15 points while Wesley Witherspoon notched 14 points in the victory.

"Our players have done a beautiful job," said Memphis head coach Josh Pastner. "Now we have got to get better because I was very disappointed in our defense today. We were sloppy."

Reuben Clayton recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Skyhawks (2-3), who have lost three consecutive games. Terence Smith contributed 14 points and Benzor Simmons scored 13 in the loss.

"They turned up the heat on us," said Tennessee-Martin head coach Jason James. "I thought we came out a little timid; a little passive and when you do that against a good team, you're going to be in trouble. That's what happened."

Less than eight minutes into the game, the Tigers led 22-12 following a pair of free throws by Garcia. From there, they went on a 12-2 run and broke the game open.

Witherspoon started the spurt with a three-pointer and another triple by Barton kept it going. A layup for both Witherspoon and Barton preceded a dunk by Coleman, which capped the uprising and gave Memphis a 34-14 advantage with 9:35 to play in the half.

The Tigers maintained their sizeable advantage throughout the opening stanza. Garcia's trey with over five minutes remaining put the margin at 48-28. The 20-point lead remained at the break, as Antonio Barton's layup closed the scoring and sent Memphis into the locker room with a 63-43 lead.

The Tigers remained in firm control throughout the second half and cruised to the easy victory.

Game Notes

Memphis has won all five meetings between these schools...Memphis was 8-for-31 from three-point range, while the visitors were 8-of-17 from beyond the arc...The Tigers won the battle on the glass, 44-31...Memphis was dominant in the paint, outscoring the Skyhawks, 56-30...Attendance was 15,909.