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No. 3 Memphis Avoids Upset

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A Tribune staff, wire report

Published: November 7, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Freshman Derrick Rose had 21 points to help No. 3 Memphis beat Richmond 80-63 on Tuesday night in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic, spoiling the Spiders' hopes of scoring the first upset of the young season.

The freshman guard was 6-for-8 from the field and overcame early foul trouble to spark the Tigers (2-0), who found themselves trailing at home with less than 13 minutes to play. Rose was named the most valuable player of the Memphis regional, scoring 38 points in the first two rounds of the tournament that benefits Coaches vs. Cancer.
David Gonzalez had 25 points for Richmond (1-1), including the first nine points of the second half. Gonzalez was 4-for-7 from 3-point range to lead Richmond, which was trying to beat its highest-ranked opponent in school history.

The Spiders' last win against a ranked opponent came in January, when they defeated No. 18 Kansas. Richmond has never defeated a top-five team.

KENTUCKY 67, CENTRAL ARKANSAS 40: Joe Crawford scored 20 points, and No. 20 Kentucky began the Billy Gillispie era with a victory against Central Arkansas in the opening round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic.

The Wildcats (1-0) advanced to the second round tonight against Gardner-Webb, which defeated Alabama A&M 69-55.

Crawford, a senior guard who started for Gillispie's predecessor, Tubby Smith, was among the last players on the team to see action Tuesday, not appearing until 13 minutes in.

He went 7-for-11 from the field - including two dunks.

Florida State Wins Exhibition Finale
TALLAHASSEE - Florida State capped its exhibition season with an 87-66 win against Valdosta State. The Noles, who won both of their exhibition games, open the regular season Friday night at home against Nicholls State.

On Tuesday, five FSU players scored in double figures, led by senior guard Isaiah Swann's 21 points. Freshman Julian Vaughn, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Oak Hill (Va.) Academy, chipped in with 15 points and six rebounds.
Toney Douglas added 13 points, Uche Echefu had 11, and Jason Rich contributed 10.

The Noles led 46-35 at halftime and finally started to pull away midway through the second half, when Swann scored eight consecutive points.

Scott Carter

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