COL BKB: Memphis 69, Houston 60

HOUSTON, March 4 (UPI) -- Tyreke Evans tossed in 23 points Wednesday and No. 3 Memphis won its 21st straight game by fighting off Houston 69-60.

The Tigers, hoping for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, are one win away from finishing their third straight unbeaten Conference USA campaign. Memphis (27-3, 15-0 C-USA) has already wrapped up its fourth consecutive league title.

Robert Dozier added 15 points for the Tigers and Shawn Taggart had 12. Houston (18-10, 9-6) was led by 19 points and 11 rebounds from Aubrey Coleman.

Houston overcame a six-point halftime deficit, fell behind by six again and then rallied to tie the contest once more.

Memphis, however, put together a 9-0 run, during which Dozier had two layups, and Houston came no closer than five the rest of the way.

The Cougars made only 35 percent of their shots from the field, including 4-of-15 from 3-point range.