Jan. 18, 2008

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss will face its stiffest test of the season when they end their two-game road trip against No. 2 Memphis. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 p.m. (CT) at FedEx Forum. The game will be broadcast on CSS.

This will be the 77th meeting between the two schools in a series that dates back to 1938. The Tigers (16-0, 3-0 C-USA) lead the series, 53-23, and have won 10 of the last 12 meetings, including the last seven. In games played in Memphis, the Tigers hold a 35-7 advantage. Last year, Memphis swept the season series, defeating the Golden Eagles, 75-62, in Hattiesburg, before taking a 67-64 victory in Memphis.

Southern Miss (9-8, 1-2 C-USA) is led by guard Jeremy Wise. The sophomore leads the team in scoring with 18.8 points per game. Right behind him is freshman R.L. Horton with 12.7, junior Courtney Beasley with 10.9 and sophomore Sai'Quon Stone at 7.9. Gjio Bain leads Southern Miss on the boards, pulling down 7.5 rebounds a game.

Southern Miss is coming off a 72-65 loss at UAB on Wednesday. Southern Miss missed nine of its first ten shots, allowing the Blazers to enter the half with a 30-18 lead. The Golden Eagles three times pulled within seven points before UAB extended its lead to 16. Southern Miss pulled within seven, but the Blazers hit 9-of-10 free throws to close the game. Courtney Beasley led the way for the Golden Eagle. Jeremy Wise added 18 points for Southern Miss.

Memphis enters today's game ranked No. 2 in the country, and are 16-0, 3-0 in conference. The Tigers are led by guard Chris Douglas-Roberts. The junior currently leads the team with 16.3 points per game while averaging 4.9 rebounds. Freshman guard Derrick Rose is averaging 14.1 points and 3.9 rebounds. Senior forward Joey Dorsey leads the team with 10.2 rebounds.

Memphis is coming off a 77-50 victory at Rice. Douglas-Roberts and Doneal Mack led the way with 16 points apiece, while Antonio Anderson had ten. Dorsey grabbed 14 rebounds in the win.

Southern Miss will take a week break in between games. The Golden Eagles will next face Rice on Saturday, January 26, at 4:00 p.m.