Story Published:
Mar 26, 2009 at 11:04 PM CST
Story Updated:
Mar 26, 2009 at 11:33 PM CST
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A career night by J.T. Tiller put University of Missouri one win away from its first trip to the Final Four. University of Memphis' 27-game winning streak, meanwhile, is history.
Tiller scored a career-high 23 points — 15 more than his season average — and Missouri held off Memphis' frantic rally for a 102-91 win Thursday night in the semifinals of the West Regional.
Third-seeeded Missouri led by 24 points four minutes into the second half, then saw Memphis close within six with 2:14 to play. Free throws put it away for Missouri.
Dynamic point guard Tyreke Evans scored 33 for Memphis (33-4). The second-seeded Tigers shot only 18-for-32 from the foul line — last year, a poor showing at the foul line cost them dearly in an overtime championship game loss to Kansas.
Missouri (31-6), the No. 3 seed, faces No. 1 seed Connecticut for the West title on Saturday afternoon at 3:40.
