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Memphis looks for a complete sweep of Conference USA

Mar 10, 2007 - 2:40 PM Houston (18-14) at No. 5 Memphis (29-3) 11:35 am EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Memphis is battling history in the Conference USA tournament.

The fifth-ranked Tigers aim to extend their 21-game winning streak and remain perfect in Conference USA when they face Houston on Saturday in the conference championship game.

Memphis has faced Houston twice this season, posting a 79-69 win in Houston and a 77-64 triumph in Memphis. Chris Douglas-Roberts has been a particularly tough matchup for the Cougars, averaging 17.5 points in the two games.

Houston earned a spot in the championship game with a 62-59 victory over Southern Mississippi behind 28 points from Robert McKiver, who shot 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.

The Tigers grabbed a 71-49 victory over Tulane, using most of the second half to work on different defenses for the NCAA tournament.

Houston has met Memphis twice previously in the conference tournament, with each team claiming a win. The Tigers beat the Cougars, 68-54, in the semifinals last year on the way to the championship.

A win Saturday would give Memphis back-to-back 30-win seasons for the first time in the school's history.