Memphis, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Avery Woodson scored a game-high 23 points as the Memphis Tigers defeated the Houston Cougars, 73-54, in the American Athletic Conference opener for both programs at FedExForum.

Austin Nichols produced a double-double for the Tigers (8-4, 1-0 AAC) with 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, adding four blocked shots, while Trahson Burrell contributed 12 points in the triumph. Memphis has now won five in a row and six of the last seven to close out the calendar year.

The Cougars (7-5, 0-1) were paced by Devonta Pollard with 17 points and seven rebounds, followed by Jherrod Stiggers with 11 points and Leron Barnes a team- best 10 boards.

Houston led by as many as nine points just over four minutes into the meeting, but even with a solid 5-of-11 showing behind the 3-point line in the first half it still trailed by two at the break, 37-35.

In the second half the visitors completely fell apart, converting just 6-of-32 (.188) from the floor and missing all eight chances beyond the arc, en route to the 19-point road loss.

Memphis finished the day shooting 49.2 percent from the field and outscored the Cougars in the paint, 42-20.