Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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In New Orleans, the Tigers hit a Green Wave road block and they were once again beaten in overtime by a 58-54 count. The Tigers then traveled to Cincinnati for a re- match with the Bearcats. Displaying lots of poise and guts, the Tigers defeated UC 70- 63. Keith Lee led the way with 24 points and Bobby Parks added 18 for MSU as they re- turned home in first place in the Metro Con- ference. In Memphis the Tigers took on the Marquette Warriors and they won 77-70. The game was marred by the smashing of the backboard which delayed the game for several minutes. After that victory, MSU once again beat Virginia Tech by a score of 83-78 at the Coliseum. That win gave MSU a 14-3 record and first place in the Metro with 8 games remaining. Left: Senior guard, Greg Moore scores in the Cincinnati game. Below: Freshman point guard, Ricky McCoy looks for help in the Tigers romp over the Bearcats of Cincinnati. SPORTS 267

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Tigers Scramble Into the Top Twenty Still undefeated at home, the Tigers awaited a visit by the University of Balti- more. In a game which was really never in doubt, the Tigers easily defeated the Super Bees by a 84-62 score. Phillip Doom Haynes led the Tigers with 19 points and Keith Lee added 18 as the Tigers shot 55 percent for the game. The word that most exemplified the Ti- gers next performance, a 90-63 thrashing of Metro Conference foe Florida State, was awesome. In their most prolific display of the young season, the Tigers raced to an eleven point halftime advantage and never looked back as they buried the Seminoles in the second half. Haynes again led MSU with 23 points, while teammates Johnie Gipson and Keith Lee added 1 8 a piece to pace the team. Lee also grabbed 17 rebounds and was vot- ed the Metro Conference player of the week for his performance against FSU. Cincinnati rolled into Memphis sporting an 1 1-2 record and seemed to be a rugged test on the youthful Tigers trip towards the top. It was not even close, as the Tigers ran the Bear- cats off the court and won in a 1 07-75 laugh- ter. Now 9-2, MSU took on the Mean Green of North Texas State. In a display of bal- anced scoring that saw six Tigers in double figures, led by Keith Lee ' s 30 points and 16 rebounds, MSU defeated NTSU 100-90 for their ninth straight victory. A trip to Virginia Tech came next for the team and they were anxiously awaiting a chance to redeem themselves for the two early losses away from home. By shooting over 70 percent in the first half, the Tigers defeated the Hokies 78-73 as Otis Jackson and Keith Lee put on a clinic. Sporting an 1 1 - 2 record, the Tigers traveled to New Orleans to play Tulane. Above left: Bobby Parks soars in for two points against Livingston University. Above right: Senior forward , Garry Taylor shoots a jump shot against the Cincinnati defense. Right: Senior guard, Otis Jackson drives the lane for two in the game against the Univer- sity of Baltimore. 266 SPORTS

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Tigers Prove Tough As They Struggle Looking to score their first touchdown of season, the Tigers returned home to face the Ole Miss Rebels. The first few times the Tigers got the ball, they moved at will against the Rebel defense as running backs Mike Dion and Carl Harrsinn each had sever- al big runs. However, the Tigers drives were stopped as they fumbled and a second time they missed a field goal attempt. The third time they got the ball, the Tigers moved it all the way down to the Ole Miss nine yard line, where Greg Hauss came on and drilled a 26 yard kick which gave the upstart Tigers a 3- lead which they carried into the dressing room at halftime. In the third quarter, the Rebels took the lead on 39 yard touchdown scamper by John Fourcade which gave Ole Miss a 7-3 advantage going into the final period. That was the way the game ended as the Tigers were unable to take an Ole Right: Running back Carl Harrison (25) fights for extra yards in the Ole Miss game. Below right: Tony Wiley (20) races for a big gain in the Mississippi State game. 268 SPORTS