The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Memphis
Men's Basketball earns rugged 74-67 victory over Memphis
01.06.2005 | Men's Basketball
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- P.J. Tucker scored four points in the final 42 seconds, including a fastbreak dunk after a turnover, and No. 15 Texas muscled past Memphis for a rugged 74-67 victory Thursday night.
Texas led 69-67 when the Longhorns pressured Memphis guard Darius Washington into losing the ball as the shot clock was winding down.
Tucker tipped the ball forward, picked it up and raced downcourt to throw down a one-handed jam over Memphis' Rodney Carney.
Tucker, who led Texas with 18 points, was fouled after rebounding Washington's missed 3-pointer and hit both free throws with 17 seconds left to seal the victory.
Daniel Gibson added 17 points for the Longhorns (11-2).
Washington scored 23 points and Carney had 18 for Memphis (7-7), which has lost five of its last seven games.
The rough-and-tumble game showcased a flashy backcourt matchup between freshmen point guards Washington and Gibson.
Both were All-Americas in high school and showed off their strengths. Washington used his slippery quickness to drive to the basket for layups while Gibson hit three 3-pointers, the last giving Texas a 66-63 lead with 4:07 left after Washington had just tied it.
The teams played a rough, physical contest from the opening tipoff as Memphis' beefy frontcourt challenged Texas on every ball near the basket and players from both teams dived to the floor in wild chases for loose balls.
Memphis coach John Calipari drew a warning for wandering too far up court to protest a foul and Tucker and Memphis' Joey Dorsey were summoned by a game official to calm down their physical play.
Texas held the biggest lead of the first half at 28-21 before a 7-2 Memphis run kept the Longhorns from grabbing momentum. Sean Banks and Dorsey both had dunks and Banks hit a 3-pointer for the Tigers before the teams went into halftime tied at 36.
The rough play continued in the second half. After Gibson hit a 3-pointer, Memphis' Arthur Barclay was called for an intentional foul on Texas' Brad Buckman, who hit four free throws in a 9-3 run that opened a 47-39 lead.
But Memphis wouldn't allow Texas to get the lead into double digits and the Tigers twice rallied before Washington tied it at 63 with a slashing drive for a scoop layup. But Memphis didn't hit another field goal over the final 5 minutes.
It was the last non-conference game of the season for both teams.
Texas opens Big 12 play on Sunday at home against Baylor. Memphis starts its Conference USA schedule on Sunday against Southern Mississippi.
Postgame Quotes
Texas Head Coach, Rick Barnes
ON THE DEFENSE: We were solid on defense tonight. That is where we got it done and made big plays. The key to our games is doing exactly what we are doing, which is focusing on the game at hand. These are talented teams we are defending, but our guys really held them tonight.
ON DARIUS WASHINGTON: Our goal tonight was to make him a point guard. He did a great job in the back court of driving and ended up with 23 points. He was great when the shot clock was running down, and created problems for our team because he took advantage of our mistakes. He's a really talented kid.
P.J. Tucker, Sophomore Forward
ON THE END OF THE GAME: Daniel played great defense and got Memphis to lose the ball. I got it. I knew we needed a bucket to put the game away, so I just went in and dunked it.
ON TEXAS: I am so proud of my team, especially the freshman. They have not been in many games like this. They all stepped up and finished big. You can tell them and explain things to them, but it isn't the same until you play in these games. I tell them they have to come out and play hard every night. They have to go and experience it just like I did last year
Daniel Gibson, Freshman Guard
ON THE END OF THE GAME: I just tried to apply a lot of pressure. It led to the turnover. After missing the free throw, I knew I had to do the little intangibles that coach talks about and not get down on myself. I was very happy with our toughness, even when they were on a run. Coach always talks about staying tough and stopping runs.
ON BEING A FRESHMAN: I know its time to grow up. LaMarcus and I both have the freshman tag on us. But, we can't play like that. We have to step it up every game. The main reason I came to Texas is because of Coach Barnes. He is great and expects a lot. He only makes you better and that is what a great coach is supposed to do.
LaMarcus Aldridge, Freshman Forward
ON DEFENSE: After I missed the free throw, all I could think was 'Make up for it.' I'm a freshman, and some people think we should not be playing as freshman. So, I did anything I could do to make up for it on defense. We are a physical team and we are aggressive. The defense was great tonight.
Memphis head coach, John Calipari
ON PLAYING TEXAS: We are a better team because of tonight's game. The atmosphere in our locker room after the game was happy and jubilant. I am very proud of my team, they put forth a great effort. Our last three possessions really hurt us though. We were throwing the ball up whether we were open or not. But, I'm proud of our team tonight. They had unbelievable drive.
ON P.J. TUCKER: P.J. is a star. He reminds me of Donta Bright and Dana Dingle, when I was back at UMass. Tucker comes up big and he wants to win.
Rodney Carney, Junior Forward
ON GETTING INTO EARLY FOUL TROUBLE: It hurt us a lot in the first half and into the second half because they took a lot of our key players off the floor. Then,when they knew we were in foul trouble, they didn't let up and they kept attacking us. Coach told us they were going to push the ball and be physical and I definitely realized that having to guard P.J. Tucker during the game.
