A cool freshman kept frustrated Memphis unbeaten.

Guard Derrick Rose scored a career-high 26 points Wednesday night, steadying his team in a 79-69 victory over Cincinnati that left the second-ranked Tigers with roiling stomachs and a perfect record.

Memphis improved to 9-0 for the first time since 1985-86, when the Tigers won their first 20 games, a school record. This one didn't come so easily.

Struggling Cincinnati (4-6) kept it close by taking advantage of two second-half technical fouls and the Tigers' inability to sustain anything for more than a few minutes. Also, Memphis was only 21-of-36 from the free-throw line, wasting chances to put the game away until the closing minutes.

Rose pulled them through and added to the Tigers' recent legacy against an old rival.