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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
BAYAMON, Puerto Rico -- Jeff Johnson's tip in the final minute cemented No. 13 Utah's 61-58 victory over Memphis in the consolation game of the Puerto Rico Shootout.
Johnson and Nate Althoff each scored 15 points and Chris Burgess
added 12 for the Utes.
Utah, which trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, tied the score at 44 with 11:51 remaining in the second half. Capitalizing on Memphis turnovers, the Utes used a 6-0 run for a 50-44 lead before the Tigers knotted the game at 50 with seven minutes remaining.
"We spent 2½ hours watching tape and at the board today and all of our players were paying attention," Utah assistant coach Dick Hunsaker said. "In the second half, we limited our turnovers and that helped."
Utah again spurted ahead before the Tigers rallied to cut the lead to 59-58 with 47 seconds remaining on a pair of free throws by Scooter McFadgon.
A jumper by Utah's Kevin Bradley missed the mark, but Johnson tipped in the miss to seal the win for the Utes.
"We didn't start the game well but we came back a bit," Hunsaker said. "We had a lot of selfish individuals who thought they had to bring it back. What I was
trying to tell them was that if you defend with energy for 40
minutes, good things happen."
Memphis was slowed by its lack of a consistent outside shooter. All but nine of the Tigers' points came from inside.
"We have to have the courage to step up and make the shots," Memphis coach John Calipari said. "Every one of our guys broke down at some point. I can't blame the players, but I need to make them understand that if they do one of those things right we win the game."
Kelly Wise led Memphis with 15 points.
Memphis shot 22-for-32 from the free throw line. Calipari said
the early misses may have been the difference in the game.
"I'm trying to get my players to understand that it's the little things you do that add up to make the win," Calipari said. "We missed seven free throws in the first half, and that would have made a big difference for us."
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Memphis Clubhouse
Utah Clubhouse
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