Memphis women鈥檚 basketball open busy weekend with a competitive overtime loss
MEMPHIS, Tenn. 鈥� After the Memphis Tigers鈥� (0-2, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) lost their season opener Tuesday against the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans, they had little time to sulk before they had to get back to work. Between Dec. 4-6, Memphis had two games to play.
The first was a road trip to Saint Louis to face the Saint Louis Billikens (1-0, 0-0 Atlantic 10 Conference). The Billikens like them, had their initial season opener postponed, which meant that they had to adjust on the fly. To start the game, it was clear that both teams had their offensive struggles.
Memphis held firm to the lead for much of the first half and led at halftime 30-22, despite their offensive struggles. Through the first half, they had shot 41.9 percent from the field and a disappointing 44.4 percent at the free throw line. They also had 10 turnovers.
What was their saving grace however, was that Saint Louis was struggling even more than they were. They had shot 20 percent from the field.
In the second half, both teams did a better job of scoring early, but it was the Tigers鈥� bigs who were instrumental in them staying ahead throughout most of the game.
Forward Alana Davis was the team鈥檚 leading scorer and had her best showing in the third quarter. That is where she had eight of her 24 points. She finished the game with five rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal. Fellow forward, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu also had a big game after an underwhelming season opener. She was second on the team with 21 points and also had 17 rebounds, an assist, two blocks and a steal.
Even still, the Billikens would not just take this lying down. They battled back in the third quarter. They outscored the Tigers 27-21 and brought the game within two points. They were led by forward, Rachel Kent, who scored 10 points in the period.
Before the final quarter could start, Tigers鈥� forward, Lanetta Williams, went down with what looked like a serious injury. In the game she played in seven minutes and despite not scoring, she impacted the game with her defense. She had four rebounds and a block in her limited action.
She had to be wheeled off of the court.
Even with the potential distraction, the Tigers started the fourth quarter well. They went on a 7-0 run in the first 4 and a half minutes of the period. They had their best scoring output since the first quarter and shot 44.4 percent in the quarter.
Still, they put on their toes following a three-pointer that made it just a two-point game with 25 seconds remaining. With nine seconds left in the game, the Billikens had the chance to tie or win the game.
With the help of a jumper by guard, Caija Haribson, they did just that, tying the game 70-70 with four seconds left. Madison Griggs tried to hit a deep three-pointer to get the win, but she missed, sending the game into overtime. The Billikens started off overtime with a two-point shot and got their first lead since the first quarter.
With 2:19 remaining, Billikens were out in front, 77-72 and the Tigers were starting to feel the pressure. Both Mendjiadeu and Davis had gotten into foul trouble and were taken off of the court, which meant that others were going to have to step up for them to have a chance.
Unfortunately, they were unable to finish the job and ended up losing the game 82-74.
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