Big second half lifts Memphis past North Texas

Robert Dozier chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots, while Joey Dorsey contributed nine points and 15 boards for the Tigers (31-3), who are the second seed in the South Region and own the nation’s longest winning streak at 23 games.

Memphis, which hasn’t lost since December 20 at Arizona, will next take on the winner of the Nevada/Creighton game in the second round on Sunday.

The Tigers were a top seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament and advanced all the way to the regional final before losing to eventual national runner-up UCLA.

Keith Wooden scored 16 points and Calvin Watson netted 13 for North Texas (23-11), which won the Sun Belt Tournament to earn its second NCAA Tournament bid. The Mean Green’s inaugural NCAA appearance came way back in 1988 and resulted in an 83-65 first-round loss to North Carolina.