University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Houston
Memphis Slips at League-Leading Houston
Jan 23, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 23, 2011
Box Score
HOUSTON - - Memphis stood in and battled for the first half, but after a call for swinging the elbows went against Memphis when the Tigers were down by just eight at 54-46 in the second half, Houston (15-4, 6-0 C-USA) reeled off a 9-2 run that put the game away in a 81-68 win over Memphis (14-6, 3-3 C-USA).
The first half was a definite game of runs. Memphis got off to a good start, leading 9-6 at the first media timeout while shooting over 57 percent, but the Tigers then went cold, watching Houston use scoring from five different players to power out to an 11-0 run and a 17-9 lead by the second media timeout.
Memphis answered back by collapsing the defense in the paint on the drivers and using transition and three-point buckets for a 6-0 run to pull to 17-15 down, forcing a Houston timeout. But Houston then got loose in transition for another run and racked up Tiger fouls to keep the ball out of Memphis' hands. Memphis was whistled for nine first half fouls, while Houston was called for just four while tying up Tiger rebounders five different times for jump balls.
Three different times in the second half, Memphis would pull to three down, but empty trips on offense and no rebounds led to Houston breaking out in transition. Once Memphis finally stopped the penetrators, Houston then knocked down back-to-back threes powered an 8-0 Houston run that allowed them to stretch the lead to 48-38, forcing a Memphis timeout. Memphis answered with a quick bucket from Carter, but Lee was whistled for her third personal foul while trying to block a Cougar driver, and Houston hit both free throws to push the lead back to 10 at 50-40.
Then Taylor Mumphrey tracked down a tough defensive board in the midst of two Cougar players. In the process of trying to find space to outlet the ball, she was whistled by the side official for swinging the elbows, a point of emphasis call this year that resulted in a video review. The review came back with an intentional call, meaning Houston got both free-throws and the ball back. Pre-season player of the year Courtney Taylor made Memphis pay, hitting both free-throws, then scoring on a layup on the possession. With Memphis reeling from the call and a little on edge, Houston then sunk the dagger with a pair of threes from Brittney Scott, pushing the lead to 64-48 and putting the game out of reach.
Memphis was led by Brittany Carter, who finished with 23 points and four rebounds, while Jasmine Lee added 18 points and five rebounds off the bench. Ramses Lonlack finished with 10 points and a game-high five steals while playing the full 40 minutes Sunday afternoon.
Brittney Scott led Houston with 20 points, while Courtney Taylor added 19. Porsche Landry added 10 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Tigers remain on the road in league play. They will play at Marshall, Thursday, at 7 p.m. (ET).
