NCAA Game Summary - Memphis vs. South Florida

Memphis, TN (Basketball News) - Darius Washington scored 20 points to lead the Memphis Tigers past South Florida, 81-68, in semifinal action of the Conference USA Tournament at FedEx Forum.

Anthony Rice added 19 points and Duane Erwin had 12 for the seventh-seeded Tigers (19-14), who kept their postseason hopes alive and will now face top-seeded Louisville in Saturday’s championship game.

Terrence Leather had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the 11th-sseded Bulls (14-16), who had a three-game winning streak stopped. Brian Swift had a team- high 17 points, while Solomon Jones ended the game with 12 in a losing cause.

Tied at six, Memphis went reeled off an 18-4 run to take a 14-point lead with 8:47 remaining in the first half. Things did not get any better for South Florida the rest of the half, as the Bulls went into the locker room with a 45-24 deficit.

Rice had 14 to lead Memphis at the half, while Leather’s seven points led South Florida.

The Tigers were in cruise control for most of the second half, but the Bulls tried to make things interesting late, as they closed to within 11 with 1:37 to play.

However, USF was never able to get the deficit under double digits and Memphis hit its free throws down the stretch to secure the relatively easy 13-point win.