University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Middle Tenn.
Lady Tigers Drop 89-83 Decision to MTSU
Dec 19, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2002
MURFREESBORO, TENN. - The University of Memphis Lady Tiger basketball team dropped to 5-4 on the year with an 89-83 loss to Middle Tennessee here Thursday evening. MTSU improved to 4-4 with the win.
The Lady Tigers have struggled a bit as of late, dropping four of their last five meetings after opening the year with four straight wins.
Senior Shannon Hamp led Memphis in scoring with 28 points off a 12-of-18 effort from the field, and a 4-of-6 shooting mark from the charity stripe. Junior Stephanie Stoglin followed Hamp with 14 points, and led the Lady Tigers in rebounding hauling in six boards. Junior Princes Swilley and freshman Tamika Butler also scored in double digits with 11 points apiece. Butler's 11 was a career high, as she also led the Lady Tigers with a career-high nine assists.
"I thought Tamika Butler gave us tremendous effort," said head coach Joye Lee-McNelis. "She hit some big shots for us and really stepped up when we needed her. I think she has really improved through the first part of the season, and what she needs now is to know who to get the ball to in crunch time. She is a freshman and she is going to have to learn to coach this team on the court."
Butler was key in helping the Lady Tigers close the gap with nearly three minutes left to play as she hit a crucial three pointer to put the Lady Tigers ahead, 79-78. MTSU answered Memphis' efforts as Tia Stovall hit four straight free throws to put the Lady Raiders up, 82-79 with 1:46 left to play. Hamp closed the gap to one with a jumper with 25.5 second left, but a Victoria Crawford foul put Paula Pentilla on the line for two free throws, both of which she hit to give MTSU the 86-83 lead with under 20 seconds left to play. MTSU was sent to the line two more times and hit three of the four charity shots for the 89-83 victory.
The Lady Raiders outrebounded Memphis, 41-26, and managed a 46-39 lead at the half. The 46 points Memphis gave up in the first half was the second highest total this season. The Lady Tigers gave up 47 points last weekend to New Mexico.
Stovall led MTSU in scoring and rebounding with a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds. She was 11 of 16 from the field. Holmes also scored in double figures for MTSU with 23 points. Holmes also totaled eight boards and nine assists in 40 minutes on the court.
"I was very disappointed in the rebounding," said McNelis. "We got after the team at the half because MTSU was beating us so badly on the boards. We have to crash the boards every possession if we are going to win on the road."
"I was proud of our effort tonight," added McNelis. "We didn't quit. One thing we really have to work on is getting Shannon Hamp the ball in crunch time. We can't ride her through the game and then not get her the ball when she has taken us this far."
The Lady Tigers will have some time off for the Christmas holiday before hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. This will be the first meeting for the two programs in women's basketball.
