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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 21, 2006

No. 12 Memphis speeds past Oklahoma, 77-65

Maui Invitational photo gallery
 •  No. 5 UCLA pounces on Chaminade, 88-63

By Jim O'Connell
Associated Press

Oklahoma guard Austin Johnson scoops to the hoop while being defended by Memphis guard Pierre Niles in the second half.

MICHAEL CONROY | Associated Press

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LAHAINA, Maui — Memphis coach John Calipari doesn't hesitate to say what players love to hear.

"We're a team trying to play fast," he said.

The 12th-ranked Tigers did just that yesterday in a 77-65 victory over Oklahoma in the opening-round of the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

The Tigers (2-0) were far from perfect, committing 18 turnovers and missing 17 free throws, but their speed and balanced attack made it tough on the Sooners (2-1), who had 21 turnovers.

"Memphis did a great job of spreading the floor and driving. That's a very unselfish team," first-year Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel said. "Their pressure took us out of a lot of things we like to do."

Robert Dozier scored 13 points to lead Memphis, which starts three sophomores and a freshman and had eight players score between six and 13 points.

"That's our style of play," sophomore guard Antonio Anderson said. "Coach makes a point that one of us doesn't have to be the star and that together with that equal balance we can do what we like to do."

Memphis took control at the start of the second half by hitting seven of its first 10 shots to lead 58-42 with 12:04 left.

Oklahoma closed to 10 points twice, the last at 69-59 with 4:36 left on two free throws by Michael Neal. The Tigers, however, were able to improve their foul shooting and keep their lead.

Neal, who missed the Sooners' first two games because of a suspension over playing in an unsanctioned summer league, had 18 points. Taylor Griffin added 16 points and 10 rebounds.

GEORGIA TECH 79, PURDUE 61

Freshman guard Javaris Crittenton scored 10 of his 20 points in a four-minute stretch late in the second half to lead the 19th-ranked Yellow Jackets (4-0) past the Boilermakers (2-1).

The 6-foot-5 Crittenton took over the game with some impressive penetrating moves, scoring all but two of Georgia Tech's points in a 12-2 run that made it 72-54 with 3:44 to play.

Carl Landry had 14 points for Purdue, which shot 4 of 24 from 3-point range.

KENTUCKY 87, DEPAUL 81

Randolph Morris scored 20 points, including nine of Kentucky's final 11, as the 20th-ranked Wildcats (3-0) held off the Blue Demons (1-3).

Sammy Mejia and Wilson Chandler both had 17 points for DePaul, which closed to 82-77 with 1:22 to go.

Kentucky hit 5 for 6 free throws over the final 53 seconds and drew two charges to finally seal the win.