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Douglas-Roberts, Dorsey help Memphis stay unbeaten

Jan 31, 2008 - 6:02 AM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Chris Douglas-Roberts and top-ranked Memphis had no problems matching the best start in school history.

Douglas-Roberts scored 30 points and Joey Dorsey grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds to lead the unbeaten Tigers to an 89-77 victory over Houston in Conference USA on Wednesday.

Memphis' leading scorer, Douglas-Roberts shot 9-of-13 from the floor and 11-of-12 on free throws as the Tigers (20-0, 6-0 C-USA) matched the 1985-86 team for the best start in school history.

Robert Dozier scored 17 of 21 points in the second half as the Tigers shot 58 percent (31-of-53) and denied Houston coach Tom Penders his 600th career win.

Memphis is now the last unbeaten team in the land after No. 24 Kansas State upset No. 2 Kansas, 84-75, on Wednesday.

After cruising to five straight wins over team's that were a combined 6-20 in conference play, Memphis figured to be tested by Houston (15-4, 4-1).

But the Cougars, who dropped to 2-10 all-time against the No. 1 team, shot just 35 percent (24-of-68) and were not able to spring the upset.

Led by Dorsey's huge night, the Tigers outrebounded the Cougars, 49-29, to post their 39th straight win, including 29 straight in conference play.

Dion Dowell scored 23 points for Houston, which was only able to get within 10 points at 72-62 with 7:17 remaining before the Tigers put the game away with a 10-4 run.

Dozier scored six points during the run and Douglas-Roberts added four as Memphis took an 82-66 lead with 2:22 left.

Early on, it looked like the Cougars came to play.

Houston opened the game on an 11-4 run, and led 17-11 at the first stoppage of play. However, Willie Kemp scored six points during an 11-1 run to help Memphis take a 22-18 lead with 9:22 left in the first half.

After Kemp's brief turn as the "go-to-guy," Douglas-Roberts took over. He scored 10 of the Tigers' next 12 points to provide a 34-25 edge with 6:26 left as they took a 46-35 lead into the break.

Memphis opened the second half on a 13-6 run behind six points from Douglas-Roberts and five from Dozier.

Sensational freshman Derek Rose was overshadowed by Douglas-Roberts and Dorsey despite recording 10 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

The conference's best defensive team, Memphis held Houston's leading scorer Rob McKiver to just 4-of-14 from the floor. McKiver finished with 20 points thank to an 11-for-11 effort from the free-throw line.