Post-Game Notes
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March 10, 2006
GAME 1: (1) Memphis 68, (4) Houston 54
The Tigers have advanced to the C-USA Championship title game for the second-consecutive year. Memphis fell to top-seed Louisville in last year's final, 75-74.
Memphis improved to 29-3 marking the most wins for the Tigers since the 1984-85 team won 31 games and advanced to the Final Four.
Houston opened the first half and the second half on 10-0 runs. Memphis answered with a 14-2 run in the first half and an 8-0 run in the second half.
The Cougars 25.5 percent shooting (14-for-55) from the floor was the second lowest field goal percentage in a C-USA Championship contest. Tulane holds the mark at 20.6 (13-for-63) in a 2002 victory over Saint Louis. The Cougars' percentage was also a season-low. The club's previous low was a 30.6 percent effort against Rice on Jan. 11 when the Cougars went 22-for-72.
Houston did shoot well from the free throw line, making 19-for-20 (95 percent) attempts, which is the second best percentage in a C-USA Championship contest. Louisville owns the highest percentage making 96.6 percent (28-of-29) in a 1997 win over USF.
Memphis owned a commanding 34-8 advantage on points in the paint.
Memphis forward Joey Dorsey had just two points in one minute of action in the opening half, but responded with seven points and nine rebounds in 12 minutes of second-half play.
Houston guard Oliver Lafayette led the Cougars with 20 points. Half of those came at the charity stripe where he was a perfect 10-for-10. His 100 percent effort five other players in C-USA Championship history that have made 10 or more free throws in a contest without missing.
Conference USA Player of the Year Rodney Carney scored 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor, including a 3-for-3 effort from behind the arc.
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