University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
UCF
Tigers Hang on for Program Win Number 700
Feb 19, 2012 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 19, 2012
Box Score
ORLANDO - - It looked like it was in the books early, but UCF (12-13, 7-6 C-USA) turned up the pressure with a little over six minutes remaining and went on a 17-8 run in the final 6:49 of the game to make things interesting in a 61-54 Memphis (20-6, 10-3 C-USA) win Sunday.
The Tigers got out to a quick start, sprinting out to an 8-0 lead before UCF senior Aisha Patrick went coast to coast for the first of her six first half points. Brittany Carter answered that layup and sophomore Krishunda Harvey knocked down a pair of free-throws to give Memphis a double-digit lead at 12-2.
But UCF started crashing the glass, using three players to push Jasmine Lee under the basket while the Knights' guard corralled rebounds. Memphis fouls on those rebound tries gave Patrick back-to-back fast break buckets to trim the lead to 18-11 with 8:00 remaining. But Nicole Dickson then went to work, scoring seven straight points, including a three, to push the Tigers ahead 26-13. Memphis closed out the final four minutes on a 11-5 run to hit the locker room up 35-18.
The lead was quickly expanded to 20 in the early minutes of the second half, with Memphis leading 42-22 with 16:55 to go. The lead stayed at about 20 until UCF went on an 8-0 run with Aisha Patrick and Gevenia Carter teaming up to attack the Tigers' paint. Ramses Lonlack hit the deck hard as her planted foot buckled under her, with the ball squirreling its way to Carter, who knocked down a wide open layup with Lonlack laying on the floor in pain on the other end. Memphis then had trouble inbounding the ball under the UCF goal, committing multiple turnovers while trying to just get to its own end of the floor. The Tigers' free throw woes compounded the problem, as Memphis was 9-for-23 from the line, missing the front end of two one-and-ones to miss an opportunity to ice the game.
But junior Nicole Dickson and sophomore Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir did finally right the free throw ship, knocking down four of the final five tries to hang on for the 61-54 victory.
Brittany Carter led Memphis with 16 points, adding eight rebounds. Nicole Dickson added 15 points and Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir finished with 10 points, four steals and three assists. Danay Collier also added three steals, and was 2-for-3 from three-point range to help Memphis build its second half lead.
Gevenia Carter led UCF with 23 points, while Aisha Patrick finished with 16 points. Erika Jones added 14 rebounds in the loss.
Memphis closes out its regular season home stand this week. The Tigers host UAB, Thursday, and Tulsa on Sunday. Sunday will be senior day for the five Tigers seniors and will also be alumnae day. All fans will receive $1.00 admission to Sunday's contest as the marketing department attempts to Pack the Fieldhouse.
