No. 2 Memphis opens C-USA schedule by pummeling Pirates

No. 2 Memphis opens C-USA schedule by pummeling Pirates

Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Derrick Rose scored 19 points, as second- ranked Memphis stayed undefeated by thrashing East Carolina, 99-58, in its conference opener at FedEx Forum.

Andre Allen and Robert Dozier each scored 13, and Dozier grabbed 10 rebounds for Memphis (14-0, 1-0 Conference USA), which scored at least 90 points for the sixth time this season. Chris Douglas-Roberts netted 12 in the win.

Darrell Jenkins and John Fields each had 11 points for East Carolina (6-8, 0-1), which had a two-game winning streak snapped. Gabe Blair finished with eight rebounds and six points in the loss.

The game stayed close through most of the first half, and a Sam Hinnant jumper with 5:51 left brought the Pirates within 29-25. But from there Memphis went on a 14-4 run until intermission.

Shawn Taggart had five points, and his two free throws put the Tigers ahead 43-29 at the break.

In the second half, Memphis drew its lead out to 20 less than three minutes in, when Rose made a layup to put his team in front 53-33.

With 12:13 left in the contest, Memphis stretched its lead to 30, as Taggart hit 1-of-2 free throws to make it 72-42. Memphis' lead hovered around 30 points for most of the second half, and the Tigers cruised -- though Jeff Robinson's dunk with 1:59 left put the Tigers ahead 98-58, reaching a 40-point margin.

Game Notes

Memphis shot 46.2 percent from the field, while East Carolina had a 36.2 percent mark...The Tigers got to the line 49 times, but made just 31 of the free throws...East Carolina was just 10-of-22 from the foul line.