MEMPHIS, Tennessee -- The sizzling second-half
performances of Jeremy Hunt and Kareem Cooper continued Memphis'
outstanding run at home.
Hunt scored all 12 of his points in the second half and Cooper
had 10 of his 12 after intermission as No. 23 Memphis eventually
pulled away for an 87-62 victory over Lamar.
Improving to 8-0 at home this season, the Tigers (10-3) also
captured their 21st consecutive victory at the FedEx Forum
despite some sluggish shooting.
Shooting just 43 percent (16-of-37) in the first half, Memphis
held a 38-28 lead at the break. Hunt proved to be a part of the
problem, missing both of his 3-pointers in the opening 20
minutes.
The senior guard did not come alive from the field thereafter,
finishing 2-of-12, but did convert 7-of-8 free throws. The
Tigers converted 16-of-24 (67 percent) of their attempts from
the line in the second half to bounce back from missing six of
seven to start the game.
Cooper finished 5-of-9 from the floor and Chris Douglas-Roberts
scored 19 points on 9-of-16 shooting for Memphis, which built a
22-point lead midway through the second half.
James Davis scored 20 points for the Cardinals (5-8), who
dropped to 0-6 on the road this season.