Tigers Edge Lady Techsters In Monday Match-Up

Monday, December 19

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

5-6

Louisiana Tech

5-5

Louisiana Tech

Memphis

Photo by: Brandon Dill

Dec 19, 2016 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Creighton records third-straight double-double; Williams scores team-high 17 to lead Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Another double-double by Cheyenne Creighton and double-figure scoring efforts by Taylor Williams and Brea Elmore lead the University of Memphis women's basketball team to a 56-54 victory over Louisiana Tech Monday evening. The victory improves Memphis to 5-6 on the year and 4-2 at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

How It Happened
Memphis jumped out to a quick 5-0 start due in part to a pair of free throws by Creighton and a three-pointer by Williams. Louisiana Tech cut the Tiger lead to two just over three and a half minutes into the contest, but through the first quarter that would be the closest Memphis would allow the Lady Techsters.

The Tigers continued to build its first quarter lead to as many as 13 in the second quarter, keeping Louisiana Tech at bay. Back-to-back three's and a lay-up, however, by Louisiana Tech with less than two minutes to play before intermission quickly put the Lady Techsters back in the ballgame. Elmore answered with a three-pointer of her own with 21 seconds on the clock to keep the Memphis lead at six.

Louisiana Tech clawed its way back into the game throughout the third quarter, even after Memphis built its lead back up to eight with 5:43 to play.

Over three minutes later, the first tie of the game happened on a made free throw by the Lady Techsters. Three more ties would occur in the final 10 minutes of action before key offensive rebounds and multiple made free throws by Memphis with less than a minute to play clinched the win for the Tigers.

Turning Point
After Louisiana Tech stormed back in the second half, two offensive rebounds by Williams and Milena Bajic with under a minute to play in the game allowed Memphis to milk the clock and force the Lady Techsters to foul. After Williams hit a pair of free throws with 12 seconds on the clock and the Tigers up three, Louisiana Tech hit a game-tying three from the right corner. A foul by Louisiana Tech with six seconds to play put Elmore at the line, who went on to hit both free throws and seal the victory for Memphis.

Notables

Brea Elmore recorded a career-high six assists and matched her career-high of four steals.
Taylor Williams continued her high-scoring at home, recording a game-high 17 points. She, through six games, is averaging 16.0 at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
Cheyenne Creighton recorded her third-straight double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Memphis finished the game with just 13 turnovers while forcing 19 Louisiana Tech turnovers.
Louisiana Tech and Memphis were relatively even in regards to rebounds (31-30 LA Tech), points off turnovers (18-17 Memphis), and second chance points (11-11).
Memphis has now won the last two games against Louisiana Tech and three out of the last four.

Quotable – Melissa McFerrin, Head Coach
On Taylor Williams hitting late free throws and the turning point of the game…
"Taylor's a great free throw shooter. We took some time the last couple of days and shot a few extra free throws because we haven't been shooting them that well. We have to remember that Brea Elmore made a couple also. The real difference in the game to me was the offensive rebounding down here late in the game. We got one on a free throw and we were really able to chew some clock when we got those offensive rebounds."

Next Up For The Tigers
The Tigers will take on Nicholls State Wednesday afternoon with a 1 p.m. tip-off at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Santa will be in attendance at the Fieldhouse from 12-2 and the first 100 fans will get a custom Memphis Santa hat. For more information on the Memphis women's basketball team, follow the Tigers on Twitter at @MemphisWBB or go online to www.gotigersgo.com.