Jan. 3, 2000

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Kelly Wise scored 20 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked six shots Monday night as Memphis defeated Arkansas 76-71.

Wise was 8-of-14 from the field, but only 4-of-10 from the free throw line as the Tigers (7-7) never trailed after scoring the opening basket of the second half.

On four occasions in the second period, the Razorbacks (8-5) cut the lead to one only to have Memphis pull away.

The last time Arkansas was within a point came on a drive by Chris Walker with 1:20 remaining to cut the lead to 72-71.

But Marcus Moody, who finished with 16 points, scored the game's last four points, including a 3-point play with 50.6 seconds remaining.

Walker led Arkansas with 15 points, while Jason Gilbert and Alonzo Lane finished with 13 each.

Lane, who was limited to only 18 minutes of playing time because of foul trouble, also led the Razorbacks with 11 rebounds.

Arkansas led 39-38 at intermission after Joe Johnson, who finished with 10, hit a 15-footer as the half ended.

Memphis scored the first seven points of the second half, including a 3-pointer by Moody for a 45-39 lead at the 17:58 mark.

Each time Arkansas cut into the lead, Memphis would put together a mini-run of 3 to 7 points to extend the advantage.

At one point in the second half, Arkansas failed to cut further into the lead because of a pitiful free throw performance, missing eight straight during one stage.

Arkansas finished the game shooting 12-of 26 from the line for 46.2 percent. Memphis didn't fare much better, shooting 52.9 percent.