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Memphis extends winning streak, advances to second round

Mar 16, 2007 - 11:54 PM NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- Chris Douglas-Roberts and Memphis proved they can dominate outside of Conference USA.

Douglas-Roberts scored 16 points as the second-seeded Tigers posted a 73-58 triumph over No. 15 seed North Texas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament South Region.

It was the 23rd consecutive victory for Memphis (31-3), which owns the nation's longest winning streak and recently completed a perfect run through Conference USA. It was also the third straight year the Tigers have advanced to the second round.

"I thought we did what we had to do," Memphis coach John Calipari said. "We knew North Texas was going to be good. We pressed them trying to get them to turn it over so we could make runs.

After becoming the first C-USA team to go undefeated in regular-season conference play, the Tigers capped off their outstanding run by winning the conference tournament title as well.

Memphis picked up where it left off Friday, overcoming a slow start to lead by as many as 17 points in the second half.

"Memphis is a very good defensive basketball team," North Texas coach Johnny Jones said. "They create that little havoc in there by pressuring and putting pressure on you."

Douglas-Roberts shot 6-of-12 from the floor and hauled in five rebounds while Andre Allen added 14 points off the bench for the Tigers, who will play seventh-seeded Nevada in Sunday's second round.

"You win or go home and I am not ready to go home," Allen said. "We know what we've got to do."

The reserves for Memphis outscored the bench for North Texas, 31-4.

Trailing, 22-18, the Tigers reeled off a 19-6 run to end the first half and enter the break with a 37-28 advantage.

Keith Wooden scored 16 points to pace North Texas (23-11), which shot just 38 percent (19-of-50).