Davis' Double-Double Leads Memphis To Win Over SEMO

Monday, December 17

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

Southeast Missouri

Southeast Mo. St.

Memphis

Photo by: Brandon Dill

Davis' Double-Double Leads Memphis To Win Over SEMO

Dec 17, 2018 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Strong second half propels the Tigers to victory

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis women's basketball team captured a double-digit win on Teddy Bear Toss Night to overcome the Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks by a 69-57 margin. The victory improves the Tigers to 4-6 on the year.

The Tigers were paced by Alana Davis' career-highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds. Davis tallied her fifth double-double of the season, and the ninth of her career. Memphis used big runs in the second half to take and build a lead it would never relinquish.

"After getting blocked six or so times in the first half, we talked about widening it out and hitting Alana on the block." Head coach Melissa McFerrin said of finding Davis in the post.

After a slow start in the first quarter that saw the Tigers off to a six-point deficit, Memphis regained its composure in the second quarter, as Davis scored six in the period to pull the Tigers within one by halftime. The home team forced nine turnovers from the Redhawks in the first half.

The Tigers held the visiting Redhawks to just 4-for-19 shooting in the second period, and allowed zero free throws, providing Memphis the opportunity to close the gap. The Tigers did just that, as Memphis used a 12-5 run to end the first half down just one point, 22-21.

The offense started rolling in the third quarter, as Memphis shot 9-for-16 from the floor in the period. Davis, for her part, scored 11 points on her way to establishing the lead for the Tigers. Memphis scored 22 points in the period to gain a nine-point lead at the end of three quarters. As the Tigers entered the fourth, the lead stood 43-34.

Davis continued her dominance in the fourth quarter, reaching her career-setting numbers before being pulled for the final few minutes. Memphis used solid free throw shooting to keep its lead intact, knocking down eight in the final frame to secure the win. Taylor Barnes bagged a pair of free throws in the quarter to reach double-digit scoring, and was one of six Tigers to record a steal on the night. Barnes and Jada Stinson led the team with three assists.

"I thought our team played well in the second half," McFerrin said. "I was pleased with the adjustments we made."

Quick Notables:

Alana Davis finished the evening with career-highs in points (24) and rebounds (13).
Davis also recorded her fifth double-double of the season, and the ninth of her career. She is now tied for 20^th all-time on the double-doubles list at Memphis.
With three blocks, Jamirah Shutes recorded her first career game with multiple blocks. The freshman guard has blocked a shot in four other games this season.
Taylor Barnes and Jada Stinson tied for team-high with three assists. That total matches a season-high for Stinson.
Barnes also logged her sixth game this season scoring double-figures, netting 13 points in the win.
The Tigers averaged 16.6 offensive rebounds per game coming into tonight's game, and Memphis pulled down 15 boards on the offensive side of the ball.
Memphis is 4-0 this season when making 15 or more free throws. The Tigers hit 23 from the charity stripe against SEMO.

The Tigers will hit the floor again on Friday, taking on the Little Rock at 11 a.m. for the fifth-consecutive home game for Memphis. For more information on the Memphis women's basketball team, follow us on Twitter at @MemphisWBB.