Memphis, TN – Memphis defended its 2011 Conference USA 57 blowout of surprise finalist Marshall on Saturday.
Joe Jackson led all scorers with 19 points while handing out six assists and Will Barton contributed a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds for the top-seeded Tigers (26-8), who have won a record six of the last seven C-USA championships.
Five Memphis players scored in double figures, including Wesley Witherspoon's 11 points and 10 apiece for Ferrakohn Hall and Chris Crawford. The Tigers shot 59.1 percent (26-of-44) from the field.
DeAndre Kane paced the sixth-seeded Thundering Herd (21-13) with 16 points and Damier Pitts added 12. A stunning run in which the unheralded Herd knocked off second seed Southern Miss and third seed Tulsa came to an end.
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