Andre Hollins leads Minnesota over No. 19 Memphis

(AP) Andre Hollins leads Minnesota over No. 19 Memphis
By JIM O’CONNELL
AP Basketball Writer
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas
Andre Hollins scored a career-high 41 points to lead Minnesota to an 84-75 victory over No. 19 Memphis on Friday in the consolation semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

The sophomore guard scored 24 points in the first half _ one off his career high entering the game _ and he closed strong, making 7 of 8 free throws and throwing in a monster dunk over the final 1:15 to account for all the Golden Gophers’ points in a 9-0 run to end the game.

Hollins finished 12 of 16 from the field _ making all five of his 3-point attempts _ and going 12 of 13 from the free throw line.

Minnesota (5-1), which lost 89-71 to No. 5 Duke in the first round, will meet the winner of the Northern Iowa-Stanford game for fifth place on Saturday.

D.J. Stephens had 15 points to the Tigers (2-2), who lost 78-65 to VCU in the opening round and now face the possibility of being one of four ranked teams in the field which could go home without a win.

Hollins had a quiet 24 points in the first half, which ended with Minnesota leading 47-42. He had one stretch where he hit two straight after Memphis had taken a 38-37 lead but otherwise he was taking shots within the offense.

Memphis held its last lead at 68-67 on a 3 by Stephens with 6:10 to play. Rodney Williams, who had 13 points, scored on a drive with 5:58 left to give the Gophers the lead for good.

The Tigers managed to get within three twice but they hurt themselves at the free throw line, missing five straight _ including two front ends of 1-and-1s over the final 10 minutes. During that stretch Minnesota made 13 of 14 at the line.

Tarik Black added 13 points for Memphis, while Shaq Goodwin and Adonis Thomas had 12 each. Starting point guard Joe Jackson, who coach Josh Pastner said had to improve his play, logged just 7 minutes _ all in the first half _ and had two points without an assist.