They're Back...........

They're back...

By: Matt Laurie, Daily Helmsman Sports Editor
Issue date: 11/3/06

Earlier this week basketball head coach John Calipari said he doesn't want his Tigers playing like its Jan. 28. And it's likely the 9,500 fans at FedExForum Thursday night watching Memphis manhandle Lemoyne-Owen had to ask one another for the date to see if they had missed two months of basketball.

In their first exhibition game of the season Memphis torched LeMoyne-Owen 113-63 with defense.

After winning the tip, LeMoyne-Owen promptly gave up the ball to Antonio Anderson who gave the Tigers the first bucket, and they never looked back. They aren't supposed when they play a Division II opponent.

"There was a lot of good stuff," Calipari said. "It was a bit disappointing. I wanted to see some man-to-man."

The first half saw Memphis get out to a 10-0 lead and with the pressure of their press defense and quick hands extended it to 59-34 by the end of the half.

The second half was more of the same, as Memphis scored 54 points, shooting almost 48 percent from the floor.

No matter who they played the Tigers played with effort. Memphis tallied 20 steals in the game and scored 44 of the teams 113 points off 33 Magician turnovers.

Although, Memphis dominated the scoreboard Calipari said they have a long way to go, especially shooting. The Tigers Antonio Anderson and Joey Dorsey were the dynamic duo for Memphis. Anderson dished out six assists, recorded six steals, along with 12 points. Dorsey, one of the seven Tigers in double figures, led the Tigers in scoring with 22 points.

"That was against LeMoyne-Owen, a D-II team, they arent' a bad team and I feel like he can get better," senior guard Jeremy Hunt said. "He can get a whole lot better - a whole lot."

The only thorns in the paw of the Tigers were finishing around the basket and LeMoyne-Owen guard Taurean Moy who led the Magicians with 20 points and hit 5 of his 11 three-point attempts. Memphians may remember Moy when he scored 83 points in high school for Booker T. Washington on 24 of 44 shooting from beyond the arc.

The Tigers will continue tuning up for their regular season opener against Jackson St. on Nov. 16 when they host Christian Brothers Monday at 7 p.m.