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Dozier keeps Memphis rolling

Dec 5, 2006 - 3:29 AM MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Robert Dozier started a busy week for Memphis in impressive fashion.

Dozier scored 16 points as No. 17 Memphis built a big lead en route to an easy 78-59 victory over Marshall.

Chris Douglas-Roberts added 14 points for the Tigers (6-1), who cruised to their fourth straight win. They had won their previous three contests by a combined 61 points.

Dozier got off to a hot start, scoring nine points in the first half in helping the Tigers to a 39-22 advantage at the break.

Memphis, which faces Southeastern Conference foes Tennessee and Mississippi later this week, led by as many as 33 points in the second half.

Joe Dorsey also was a major factor, grabbing 13 rebounds and collecting four of the Tigers' 11 blocks.

"We had a lot of blocks and steals, and we pressed a little different today," Memphis coach John Calipari said. "It was a pretty good effort."

Tre Whitted scored 16 points and Markel Humphrey 14 for the Thundering Herd (2-6), who were playing their first ranked opponent of the season.

Marshall shot just 33 percent (19-of-58) from the field and went 15-of-27 at the free-throw line.

"Memphis took us out of a lot of the things at the basket which I thought could have made a difference," Marshall coach Ron Jirsa said. "They blocked our shot eight times early in the game, and I thought that was the difference."

The Thundering Herd slowed the pace in the second half, pulling within 41-30. But the Tigers answered with an 18-4 run, capped by Dozier's dunk, to rebuild the advantage to 59-34 with 10 minutes remaining.