Willie Kemp’s late free throws lift Memphis to 59-57 win over Southern Mississippi

Memphis defeats Southern Mississippi 59-57

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Willie Kemp made a pair of clutch free throws with 5.2 seconds left to propel Memphis to a 59-57 win over Southern Mississippi on Saturday night.

Elliot Williams scored 33 points, making 11 of 19 shots from the field and 8 of 12 from the 3-point line to lead Memphis (11-4, 1-0 Conference USA).

Southern Miss (9-6, 0-2) climbed back from a 41-26 halftime deficit to make the game close in the waning minutes, but Kemp’s free throws sealed the win for the Tigers.

A futile 3-point shot by Southern Miss’ Gary Flowers never left his hand in time as the final second ticked off the clock.

Maurice Bolden led Southern Miss with 13 points.

The win was the 62nd straight Conference USA victory for Memphis, which hasn’t lost a regular season or conference tournament game since a 80-74 defeat to Alabama-Birmingham on March 2, 2006.