Mar 24, 2006 2 min read

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Rodney Carney kept top-seeded Memphis from becoming another victim of Bradley’s surprising NCAA run. Carney contributed on both ends of the floor, scoring 23 points and leading a stingy defense that gave Memphis an 80-64 victory Thursday and put the Tigers in the regional final for the first time since 1992 – back when Anfernee Hardaway was the star.

Darius Washington Jr. added 18 points and Shawne Williams had 12 points and eight rebounds as Memphis won the third round of the Oakland Regional, its seventh straight victory.

Carney raised his arms in the air in celebration after a two-handed jam midway through the second half, one of several emphatic dunks by the 6-foot-7 forward who was virtually unknown when he first arrived at Memphis. Now, he is one win from finishing his stellar collegiate career in his hometown of Indianapolis for the Final Four.

Coach John Calipari’s young Tigers (33-3), an NIT team last season, advanced to Saturday’s regional final against the winner of Thursday’s late game between second-seeded UCLA and No. 3 Gonzaga. The Tigers beat both those teams early this season.

Patrick O’Bryant had 11 of his 14 rebounds in the first half and only scored eight points for Bradley (22-11), which at No. 13 was the lowest seed still alive in the tournament. The Braves will return home to another hero’s welcome after they put the program on the map and brought national attention to the town of Peoria, Ill., where they play.

The Braves had been the NCAA spoiler so far after beating Kansas and Pittsburgh to reach their first regional semifinal since 1955 when it was 24-team tournament, but they began the second half 4-for-16 and struggled to get open looks at the basket against speedy, aggressive Memphis.