Feb. 19, 2005

Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Rodney Carney had 24 points, Darius Washington added 21 and Memphis beat Southern Mississippi 85-73 on Saturday.

Carney was 10-of-11 from the free-throw line and Washington had a perfect shooting day for the Tigers (16-10, 9-3 Conference USA), who won their third straight.

Washington made all six of his attempts from the field - including 3-for-3 from 3-point range - and was 6-of-6 from the free-throw line for the Tigers, who swept Southern Miss.

Memphis has won six of seven since a three-point loss at UAB on Jan. 22, an impressive string which includes a 17-point rout of No. 12 Louisville.

Jeremy Hunt added 11 points for the Tigers, who face a difficult stretch to close the season. Three of Memphis' final four opponents are ranked.

Rashaad Carruth matched his career-high with 25 points for struggling Southern Miss (10-15, 1-12).

The loss assured the Golden Eagles of at least matching their worst-ever finish in Conference USA. Southern Miss was 4-12 in C-USA play in 2001-02 and has three games remaining this season.

The Golden Eagles have lost seven straight and 13 of 14, with new coach Larry Eustachy's lone league victory coming nearly a month ago against Tulane.

Michael Ford added 15 points, David Haywood had 14 and Dante Stiggers had 10 assists for Southern Miss.