The University of Mississippi Athletics
Mississippi Looks to Contain Wagner, Memphis
12/6/2001 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 6, 2001
From the Associated Press
Mississippi hopes to slow down one of the top scorers in the nation as it plays host to Dajuan Wagner and Memphis on Friday.
The Rebels (5-2) are holding opponents to 61.7 points per game, but face the daunting task of trying to stop Wagner.
The freshman guard, is among the nation's leaders in scoring at 23.1 points. Wagner had 26 to lead the 22nd-ranked Tigers (6-2) to a 111-74 win over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. Kelly Wise added 24 points and 18 rebounds, and Chris Massie scored 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting for Memphis.
Wagner has scored at least 20 points six times, and is also averaging 2.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 44 percent from the field. Memphis is averaging 84.9 points.
Wise is averaging 11.8 points and a team-leading 11 rebounds.
Memphis has won three straight following its only two losses of the season.
The Rebels had a 44-game home winning streak against non-conference opponents snapped with a 71-70 loss to George Mason on Saturday, but bounced back with a 78-43 win over Louisiana-Monroe on Monday.
Justin Reed had 17 points and eight rebounds and Derrick Allen scored a career-high 13 to lead Mississippi.
The Rebels held Louisiana-Monroe to 28 percent shooting, including 5-for-23 from 3-point range. Mississippi is holding opponents to 41 percent shooting for the season.
Forward Justin Reed is averaging 15.1 points and seven rebounds, and guard Jason Harrison is adding 12.1 points and 4.9 assists. The Rebels are shooting 53.3 percent from the field, including 47.1 percent on 3-pointers.
Memphis leads the all-time series 22-9, but Mississippi has won the last two meetings.