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Evans, Memphis eye ninth straight win

Jan 21, 2009 - 11:22 AM Rice (6-11) at No. 25 Memphis (14-3), 9:00 p.m. EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Back in the top-25 for the first time in nearly one month, No. 25 Memphis aims for its ninth straight win when it hosts Rice on Wednesday.

The Tigers (14-3, 4-0 C-USA) dropped out of the rankings following a home to Syracuse on December 20, their third loss of the year that surpassed the total from all of last season.

Since that loss, however, Memphis has reeled off eight straight wins, including Saturday's 81-68, victory over Alabama-Birmingham. Memphis is the lone unbeaten team in the conference.

Freshman Tyreke Evans had his second straight 20-point game with 24 in the win. The 6-6 guard is averaging 17.2 to lead the Tigers.

Rice (6-11, 1-2) has dropped six of its past eight and should not be much of a problem for Memphis.

The Owls are coming off a 77-52 thrashing at the hands of Central Florida on Saturday. Cory Pflieger is the lone player averaging in double figures at 10.4 points per game.

Memphis visits Tennessee on Saturday.