Scout.com > UCF Conference USA Basketball Roundup Story URL: http://ucf.scout.com/2/841085.html Charlie Bernstein InsideKnights.com Feb 21, 2009 Eight of the twelve Conference USA teams were in action Wednesday night, headlined by the mismatch of the year between first-place Memphis and last-place SMU. Mustangs Sent to the Glue Factory (Memphis, TN)— Memphis extended their C-USA winning streak to an unfathomable 53 games as they crushed SMU, 90-47. The Tigers continue to show why they have one of the best defenses in the nation, if not the best, as they held the offensively challenged SMU Mustangs to just 14 second half points as they shot just 20% (6-30). "We've got a chip on our shoulder," Memphis forward Shawn Taggart said of the team’s defensive attitude. "A lot of people are saying that UConn has a better defense. That Pittsburgh has a better defense. North Carolina. "But in the country, right now, I don't see anybody playing better than us defensively." Taggert backed up his words with 19 points, while grabbing four rebounds and blocking two shots. The Tigers (23-3, 11-0 C-USA) won their 17th consecutive game while SMU (7-17, 1-10 C-USA) dropped their third straight and have lost eight out of their last nine contests. Blazers Take Over Second Place (New Orleans, LA)— UAB found themselves alone in second place as they traveled to New Orleans to play Tulane, and left with a hard fought 76-70 victory. UAB overcame a six point halftime deficit to pull ahead for good with a 7-0 run in the final four minutes of the game. Blazers guard/forward Robert Vaden led the team with 17 points, and Robert Kinnard added 15 points and 12 rebounds. Kevin Sims led the Green Wave with 20 points as the junior passed the threshold of 1,000 points for his career. UAB (18-8, 8-3 C-USA) has won five in a row and eight out of their last nine, while Tulane (10-15, 4-8 C-USA) is headed in the opposite direction as they’ve dropped two straight and five out of their last six. Cougars Upset on the Road (Huntington, WV)— Marshall won their third consecutive home game as they rallied from a four-point halftime deficit to defeat Houston, 88-83. The Thundering Herd were led in scoring by forward Markel Humphrey, who scored 25 points, and forward Tirrell Baines, who added 21 points. Houston wasted a career performance by guard Aubrey Coleman, who scored 38 points on 16-30 shooting. Marshall (12-14, 4-7 C-USA) has won three out of their last four games, while the loss ended a four-game winning streak by Houston (16-8, 7-4 C-USA), who dropped out of second place. Miners Beat Cross-State Rivals (Houston, TX)— UTEP traveled across the state of Texas and defeated Rice University, 67-58. The Miners were led by guards Stefon Jackson and Randy Culpepper, who scored 23 points and 20 points respectively, as they took control of a close game and pulled away late in the second half. The Rice Owls were led by center Trey Stanton, who recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. UTEP (16-9, 7-4 C-USA) has won three straight and five out of six, while Rice (8-17, 3-8 C-USA) has dropped two straight and three out of four. Copyright © Scout.com and InsideKnights.com