MEMPHIS, March 10 (UPI) -- Shawne Williams had 23 points and eight rebounds Friday as 5th-ranked Memphis beat Houston, 68-54, in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament.
Rodney Carney totaled 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and five blocked four shots; Joey Dorsey had nine points, nine rebounds and two assists; and Andre Allen had eight assists and six rebounds for the top-seeded Tigers, who improved to 29-3 and enjoy a home-court advantage at the FedExForum in Memphis.
For the fifth-seeded Cougars (20-9), who lost for only the third time in their last 12 contests, Oliver Lafayette had 20 points, five rebounds and five steals; Lanny Smith had 12 points and two assists; and Ramon Dyer had 12 points, nine rebounds and two steals.
Memphis out-rebounded Houston, 38-26, and committed 17 turnovers to 13 by the losers.
