COL BKB: Missouri 102, Memphis 91

GLENDALE, Ariz., March 27 (UPI) -- J.T. Tiller fueled a huge run to end the first half Thursday and Missouri held on to defeat Memphis in the semifinals of the NCAA West Region 102-91.

Missouri opened as much as a 24-point lead with 16 minutes to play, and then withstood a Memphis surge that brought the Tigers within six with a minute to go. Missouri, however, made enough free throws down the stretch to reach the regional finals, where it will meet top-seeded Connecticut Saturday.

Memphis had not lost a game since five days before Christmas, winning 27 in a row and earning a No. 2 seed in the West.

The Tigers, however, had no answer to the Missouri offensive surge that Tiller ignited in the first half.

Missouri shot 53 percent from the field in the opening period and Tiller scored 16 points -- 14 of them coming in a 28-11 run over the final 8:33 of the half. Tiller finished with 23 points, hitting 10-of-17 shots from the field.

Tyreke Evans sparked the second-half Memphis comeback, scoring 33 points for the game.

Memphis (33-4) extended the contest with persistent fouling late in the game, but three players reached their foul limit and Missouri eventually made 30-of-45 free throw tries.

Memphis had not allowed more than 80 points all season, but wound up surrendering 62 field goal attempts.

No. 3 seed Missouri will take a 29-6 record into its meeting with Connecticut, which reached the regional final earlier in the evening by downing Purdue 72-60.