MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Will Barton scored a career-high 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds Saturday night as Memphis pulled away from Marshall at the end for an 83-76 victory over the Thundering Herd.
The win, the third straight for the Tigers (15-6, 6-1 Conference USA), left them tied at the top of the conference standings with Southern Mississippi. The Golden Eagles won earlier Saturday night at Central Florida.
Tarik Black worked inside for 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Memphis converted 30-of-54 shots (55.6 percent) as a team. Wesley Witherspoon finished with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
Shaquille Johnson led Marshall (13-8, 4-3) with 21 points. Damier Pitts scored 19 while converting 5-of-8 shots. DeAndre Kane added 15 points for the Thundering Herd, who lost their fourth straight.
The score was close throughout the game. Neither team earned a double-digit lead. There were 13 ties and 14 lead changes in the game.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
