Tigers keep upset-minded Spiders at bay

Freshman Derrick Rose had 21 points to help No. 3 Memphis beat Richmond 80-63 on Tuesday night in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic in Memphis, Tenn., spoiling the Spiders’ hopes of scoring the first upset of the young season.

The freshman guard was 6 for 8 for the field and overcame early foul trouble to spark the Tigers (2-0), who found themselves trailing at home with less than 13 minutes to play. Rose was named the most valuable player of the Memphis regional, scoring 38 points in the first two rounds of the tournament that benefits Coaches vs. Cancer.

David Gonzalez had 25 points for Richmond (1-1), including the first nine points of the second half. Gonzalez was 4 of 7 from 3-point range to lead Richmond, which was trying to beat its highest ranked opponent in school history.

The Spiders’ last win against a ranked opponent came in January, when they defeated No. 18 Kansas. Richmond has never defeated a top-five team.

Chris Douglas-Roberts had 19 points and nine rebounds for Memphis, while Robert Dozier added nine points and eight rebounds.

Jarhon Giddings had 11 points and seven rebounds for Richmond, which fatigued late against the Tigers’ full-court press.

(20) Kentucky 67, Central Arkansas 40: Joe Crawford scored 20 points and the Wildcats began the Billy Gillispie era with a win over the Bears in the opening round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic in Lexington, Ky.

The Wildcats (1-0) advanced to the second round tonight against Gardner-Webb, which defeated Alabama A&M 69-55.

Crawford, a senior guard who started for Gillispie’s predecessor Tubby Smith, was among the last players on the team to see action, not appearing until 13 minutes in.

He finished 7 of 11 from the field, including a pair of dunks.