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Dozier, defense keep Memphis rolling

Feb 12, 2009 - 4:52 AM MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- After finishing its non-conference schedule, Memphis picked up right where it left off in Conference USA.

Robert Dozier scored a career-high 23 points and No. 10 Memphis continued its dominance of Conference USA with a 63-37 victory over Tulsa on Wednesday.

Freshman Tyreke Evans added 13 points for the Tigers (21-3, 9-0 C-USA), who won their 51st straight conference contest. It was Memphis' 15th consecutive win overall.

"We used a couple of schemes they hadn't seen us use before," Memphis coach John Calipari said. "I think that kind of rocked them a little bit. It wasn't for them; it was for the NCAA Tournament. You saw us do things in the post that most of you have never seen us do before."

The Tigers were coming off an impressive 68-50 victory at then-No. 18 Gonzaga on Saturday, holding the Bulldogs to their worst offensive output of the season.

Memphis continued its strong defense against Tulsa, holding the Golden Hurricane to just 36 percent (14-of-39) shooting from the field. The Tigers forced 24 turnovers as they allowed their fewest points in a game this season.

"We had 22 turnovers at home and 24 here, so we averaged 23 turnovers a game," Tulsa coach Doug Wojcik said. "Now, with all due respect, we have to give them credit. Bobby Knight said it best in the game against Gonzaga the other night, 'You can't simulate that pressure in practice.' But, we can control that a little better than what we did."

Tulsa shot 25 percent (6-of-24) in the first half, including 1-of-7 from the arc as Memphis shook off a slow start offensively. Antonio Anderson converted a three-point play with 16 seconds left in the half to give the Tigers a 28-15 advantage at the break.

The Tigers were never threatened in the second half as they maintained a double-digit lead throughout.

Memphis scored eight of the first 10 points to begin the second half and Dozier's 3-pointer made it a 41-21 score with 15:15 left to play.

"Early in the game (Dozier) wasn't aggressive," Calipari said. "I kept telling him, get 30. They're not playing you, get 30. But after he got going, he's playing well."

Jerome Jordan scored eight points to lead the Golden Hurricane (17-8, 7-3), who had their five-game winning streak snapped.

"For the first 10 games in the conference season, we're competing for first place. Now, at the 11-game mark, we're competing for second place," Wojcik said. "We have three loses, UAB has three loses. Memphis won't lose three times. We are competing for second which is a real positive, and I'm really excited about it."