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Morris brothers lift Kansas over Memphis

Dec 8, 2010 - 5:07 AM New York, NY (Sports Network) - The Morris twins combined for 30 points and 15 rebounds to lead fourth-ranked Kansas to an 81-68 victory over No. 13 Memphis in the opening game of the Jimmy V Classic.

Markieff Morris finished with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Marcus added 14 and eight for the Jayhawks (8-0), who pulled away in the second half thanks to strong interior play.

"Memphis is a very talented team with a bunch of young guys that can really play," said Marcus Morris. "They can score quick. It was definitely important to close them out at the end."

Will Barton scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Tigers (7-1), while Chris Crawford added 15 off the bench.

"We had it deep in the paint, we've just got to score," said Memphis head coach Josh Pastner. "We've just got to put the ball in the basket."

It was a tight game until Kansas started to build a substantial lead toward the end of the first half, and Thomas Robinson's jumper with four minutes remaining gave the Jayhawks a 33-25 advantage.

But Memphis scored the next six to stay close, and Kansas carried a 37-35 edge to the break.

The Tigers pulled even a couple times early in the second half, including when two Tarik Black free throws made it a 39-39 game a little less than two minutes in.

As Memphis strove to stay in the game, Kansas was trying to pull away. The Jayhawks pushed their lead to 50-41 on Markieff Morris' dunk with just under 15 minutes left, but the Tigers countered with a dunk from Black. Following a Marcus Morris turnover, Barton sank a layup and Memphis was back within two possessions.

It was a six-point game several minutes later, but a series of possessions went Kansas' way to snap the elastic.

Hard work under the Jayhawks basket resulted in two offensive rebounds and a Travis Releford layup. Charles Carmouche missed a three at the other end, and Robinson followed with a layup.

Joe Jackson missed a three on Memphis' next possession, and the Tigers missed another shot before Releford went to the line with 10:54 to play. He sank both attempts to give Kansas a 58-46 advantage, and the Tigers didn't get closer than eight the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Kansas leads the all-time series, 6-2, and has won the last four matchups...The Jayhawks scored 46 points in the paint, compared to 35 for Memphis. Kansas held a 44-31 rebounding advantage...The Tigers scored 29 points off 22 Kansas turnovers...Robinson finished with 10 points and 10 boards for Kansas. Tyshawn Taylor added 13 points...Carmouche totaled 12 points for the Tigers.