Memphis defeats Western Illinois 78-51

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Nick King scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and led a balanced Memphis attack to a 78-51 rout of Western Illinois on Tuesday for the Tigers' fourth straight.

Calvin Godfrey scored 12 and grabbed nine rebounds, Austin Nichols scored 12, and Trahson Burrell and Pookie Powell scored 10 apiece.

The Tigers (7-4) never trailed and opened with a 12-2 run in which Nichols scored five of his 10 points in the half, then ripped an 18-2 run to lead 30-10. The Leathernecks made just 4 of 30 field goal attempts while the Tigers shot 63 percent from the field (17-27) and led 41-14 at halftime.

Western Illinois gained ground on an 11-2 second half run to trail 54-36 early, but the Tigers recovered and used a 9-4 run to lead 74-48 with 3:56 to play.

J.C. Fuller came off the bench to lead the Leathernecks (4-6) with 13 points.