University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Arkansas
Lady Tigers Stun Lady Razorbacks
Dec 19, 1999 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 19, 1999
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. - The University of Memphis Lady Tiger basketball team stunned the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks, 88-82, to give Arkansas its first loss of the season here at the newly-constructed ALLTEL Arena.
The victory over the Lady Razorbacks marks Memphis' first win over an SEC squad this season and marks just the second time in the 10-game series that the Lady Tigers have defeated Arkansas on the road. Memphis stunned the Lady Razorbacks last season with a victory over then-13th ranked Arkansas at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. And this victory, like the one last season, didn't come easy.
"I was extremely proud of the way we fought back tonight," said coach Joye Lee-McNelis. "This team didn't give up and showed a tremendous amount of heart and intensity. We played really well in crunch time and we did a great job of swinging the momentum our way in the final minutes of the game."
The game was close just five minutes into the contest, when the score was tied at six with 15:17 left in the first half. But that would be the last time that the Lady Tigers would lead or be tied with the Lady Razorbacks until just over three minutes left in the game as Arkansas managed a 29-12 run to lead by 17 (35-18) with 5:52 left in the first half. Memphis managed to get within three points before heading to the lockerroom at the half with a five-point deficit looming over their heads, despite a 45.8 percent shooting effort from the field.
The Lady Tigers came out strong in the second half and outscored the Lady Razorbacks, 52-41. It would take more than impressive shooting for the victory as Memphis shot just 39.5 percent from the field, compared the Arkansas' 54.8 effort in the second half. The key for the Lady Tigers in the second half was ball control (just 11 turnovers versus Arkansas' 17 turnovers) and free-throw shooting as Memphis hit 18-of-24 shots from the charity stripe. The Lady Razorbacks scored just five points off free throws in the second half. Memphis went to the line and took 48 free-throw shots by the end of the game, marking the third-highest total for free-throw attempts in school history.
Another key to Memphis' hard-fought victory was freshman Shannon Hamp, who did not make the trip up with the team or Saturday night's practice in Little Rock because she was attending her grandmother's funeral. Hamp recorded a career-high 19 points off an 8-of-14 shooting effort from the field. Her 19 points surpassed her previous career high of 17 which she totaled just three nights earlier against UALR. Hamp also pulled down eight rebounds and recorded a steal in 22 minutes of play before fouling out of the game with just over seven minutes left in the game.
Three other Lady Tigers scored in double digits, including junior Kelly Herron who scored 14 points and hit two crucial treys in the latter part of the second half. Sophomore Lauren Jackson and junior Patrice Boyd also scored in double figures with 13 points and 12 points, respectively. Boyd, and junior Tiffany Adkins, led the squad in rebounding, totaling nine boards apiece. This was Adkins' first game since March of 1997 when she suited up for Ole Miss. She was required to sit out the first nine games because of NCAA transfer policies.
Celia Anderson led Arkansas' efforts with 19 points and 12 rebounds. She was 9-of-13 from the field and 1-of-5 from the free-throw line. Also in double figures for Arkansas were Dana Cherry (15), Wendi Willits (13), Lonniya Bragg (10) and Brandi Whitehead who chipped in 10 points.
The Lady Tigers will return to action on Dec. 29 when they host Alabama at the Mid-South Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. The Lady Tigers will open Conference USA action on Jan. 2 in Birmingham against UAB.
