Creighton Leads Memphis in Hard-Fought Setback to Illinois

Sunday, December 3

Memphis, Tenn.

2:00 PM

University of Memphis

1-8

Illinois

6-4

Illinois

Memphis

Photo by: Brandon Dill

Creighton Leads Memphis in Hard-Fought Setback to Illinois

Dec 03, 2017 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Creighton finished with 12th career double-double to lead Tigers

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis women's basketball fell in a back-and-forth, hard fought battle Sunday afternoon to Big Ten opponent Illinois by a score of 63-47. Memphis drops to 1-8 on the year with almost a week off before taking on UAB next Saturday.

How It Happened
In a low-scoring first quarter, Memphis found itself down just one point to the visiting Illini. The Tigers had an answer in the second, exploding for 22 points including a pair of three-pointers by senior guard Brea Elmore.

In the strong second quarter, Memphis rallied from a four-point deficit to a four-point halftime lead over Illinois. The game ended with three total ties and seven lead changes.

The Tigers quickly jumped out to a 4-0 start in the third, forcing Illinois to call a timeout. With 5:29 remaining in the third, Memphis had its largest lead, 39-30, after a Taylor Barnes jumper.

Illinois responded, and in the final 14 minutes of action, the Illini outscored Memphis 33-8 to improve to 6-4 on the year.

Turning Point
While the Tigers were up 39-30, Illinois rattled off a 9-0 run including back-to-back three-pointers. That run ultimately sparked a 22-point fourth quarter by the visiting Illini.

Notables

Cheyenne Creighton scored eight points in the first quarter. She finished with 17 points and is now 123 points away from the 1,000-point milestone.
Creighton finished with her 12^th career double-double with a team-high 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Brea Elmore also got the Tigers going offensively, contributing 12 points. She hit three, three-pointers in the first half alone. She finished with four made three-pointers, matching her career-high.
Jasmine James added nine points and seven rebounds for Memphis.
Taylor Barnes led the Tigers with four assists in 23 minutes of action.
Memphis recorded 17 offensive rebounds to Illinois' 14. The Tigers also had four fastbreak points compared to just two by Illinois.

Next Up For The Tigers
Memphis will now be off until next Saturday when UAB comes to the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Tipoff against the Blazers is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Fans unable to be in attendance can listen to the game on the airwaves at 91.7 FM WUMR or watch the game live at www.gotigersgo.com/watch. For more information on the Memphis women's basketball team, follow the Tigers on Twitter at @MemphisWBB.