Friday, November 23
Conway, S.C.
3 p.m.
University of Memphis
59
vs
53
Mercer
1
2
3
4
F
Mercer
22
13
11
7
53
Memphis
11
16
15
17
59
Photo by: Brandon Dill
Tigers defeat Mercer in first game of Coastal Carolina Tournament
Nov 23, 2018 | Women's Basketball
Alana Davis dominates boards for second double-double of the season
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis storms back in the second half to steal a game from Mercer, defeating the Bears 59-53 on Friday. The Bears entered the season having won 30 games in 2017-18, including a Southern Conference championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Led by Alana Davis' 22 points and 13 rebound double-double, her second of the season, and 21 total offensive rebounds, the Tigers pounced back after a slow first quarter to win their first game of the Coastal Carolina Tournament.
"We talk about rebounding every day, but Alana Davis was a beast on the boards today," head coach Melissa McFerrin said of the rebounding effort. "Kiana Coomber has really earned her playing time with the way she rebounds, and in the first half, Jasmine James was all over the boards."
The Tigers struggled out of the gates, shooting just 2-10 in the first quarter, but did add seven free throws in the opening period.
Memphis outscored the Bears in the second quarter, narrowing the margin to single digits by the end of the first half. Davis had 10 points and six boards by the halfway mark. The Tigers had 10 offensive rebounds in the first half, compared to Mercer's three.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Tigers stole the momentum in the third quarter. Key defensive stops and multiple offensive rebounds allowed the Tigers to battle their way back into the game.
Early in the fourth quarter, a three-pointer from Taylor Barnes brought the score within one. Barnes finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
On their very next possession, the Tigers took a 47-45 lead on a Davis layup. Memphis would never relinquish its lead, getting stops on defense and hitting clutch free throws until the final buzzer. Gazmyne Herndon hit a free throw to give Memphis a six-point lead with 24 seconds left, essentially putting the game out of reach. Herndon contributed eight points, seven boards, and seven assists in the win.
Memphis forced multiple turnovers in the fourth quarter, pressuring the Mercer offense, and never really giving the Bears good opportunities to get back in the game.
"I think in the second half, our kids just executed better, honestly," McFerrin had to say of the second half. "We didn't make every shot, we still didn't shoot well, but we had a good energy and we didn't hang our heads."
Memphis continues its play in the Coastal Carolina Tournament. The Tigers will face the host team, Coastal Carolina, on Sunday.
Led by Alana Davis' 22 points and 13 rebound double-double, her second of the season, and 21 total offensive rebounds, the Tigers pounced back after a slow first quarter to win their first game of the Coastal Carolina Tournament.
"We talk about rebounding every day, but Alana Davis was a beast on the boards today," head coach Melissa McFerrin said of the rebounding effort. "Kiana Coomber has really earned her playing time with the way she rebounds, and in the first half, Jasmine James was all over the boards."
The Tigers struggled out of the gates, shooting just 2-10 in the first quarter, but did add seven free throws in the opening period.
Memphis outscored the Bears in the second quarter, narrowing the margin to single digits by the end of the first half. Davis had 10 points and six boards by the halfway mark. The Tigers had 10 offensive rebounds in the first half, compared to Mercer's three.
Coming out of the halftime break, the Tigers stole the momentum in the third quarter. Key defensive stops and multiple offensive rebounds allowed the Tigers to battle their way back into the game.
Early in the fourth quarter, a three-pointer from Taylor Barnes brought the score within one. Barnes finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
On their very next possession, the Tigers took a 47-45 lead on a Davis layup. Memphis would never relinquish its lead, getting stops on defense and hitting clutch free throws until the final buzzer. Gazmyne Herndon hit a free throw to give Memphis a six-point lead with 24 seconds left, essentially putting the game out of reach. Herndon contributed eight points, seven boards, and seven assists in the win.
Memphis forced multiple turnovers in the fourth quarter, pressuring the Mercer offense, and never really giving the Bears good opportunities to get back in the game.
"I think in the second half, our kids just executed better, honestly," McFerrin had to say of the second half. "We didn't make every shot, we still didn't shoot well, but we had a good energy and we didn't hang our heads."
Memphis continues its play in the Coastal Carolina Tournament. The Tigers will face the host team, Coastal Carolina, on Sunday.
Team Stats
F-406
F-404
FG%
.306
.339
3FG%
.321
.154
FT%
1.000
.731
RB
31
50
TO
12
16
STL
8
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
10
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballWomen's Basketball: Paris Gaines Press Conference-June 12, 2025
Thursday, June 12
Women's Basketball: Daejah Richmond Press Conference-June 12, 2025
Thursday, June 12
Women's Basketball: Cori Allen Press Conference-June 12, 2025
Thursday, June 12
Women's Basketball: Alex Simmons Press Conference-June 12, 2025
Thursday, June 12