Memphis flies high in 77-56 win over NC Central

Saturday, December 29

Memphis, Tenn.

2:30 p.m.

University of Memphis

North Carolina Central

N.C. Central

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Dec 29, 2018 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Taylor Barnes dishes a career-high 11 assists in the victory

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Tigers scored a season-high 77 points en route to a solid 77-56 win over the Eagles of North Carolina Central Saturday afternoon, capping a six-game December home stand with a victory.

Jamirah Shutes paved the way for Memphis, scoring a team-high 18 points. Taylor Barnes dished out a career-high 11 assists, compared to just four turnovers, and the Tigers used big runs to close out each half to pull away from the Eagles.

"Taylor Barnes tried to run our team, and that's what we've needed. We've talked a lot about our execution, our communication, and Taylor is our best communicator," head coach Melissa McFerrin said of Barnes' afternoon. "Taylor has the knowledge of our system, so when she's directing traffic, we're going to be better."

The opening quarter of the game began with neck-and-neck scoring, both teams netting opportunities throughout the first minutes. As the quarter fleshed out, the Tigers grabbed ahold of the lead, with Shutes capping a 9-0 run with a layup to give Memphis a seven-point, 15-8, lead. The Eagles were able to trim the lead before the end of the quarter, but Memphis led after one, 17-16.

Barnes came out in the second quarter looking to get her teammates involved. After logging three first-quarter assists, the junior guard recorded four more in the second, helping the Tigers take a double-digit lead in the quarter. Davis also had a productive period, scoring seven points. She ended the half just inches from her sixth double-double of the season, ending the half with nine points and eight boards. After Memphis' flurry of scoring stopped at the buzzer, the Tigers found themselves looking at a 39-28 lead.

The second half opened with even play from both teams, as each squad matched everything the other threw. Davis snagged a pair of rebounds in the early minutes of the quarter, securing her sixth double-double of the season. Barnes recorded three more helpers in the period, claiming a career-high. The Tigers took a 58-43 lead into the final quarter of play.

Memphis iced the cake in the fourth, extending its lead and putting the finishing touches on a quality win. After the Eagles trimmed the deficit to single-digits, the Tigers regained their focus, closing the game on a 19-8 run. Jasmine James scored eight during the run, and finished with a career-high 16 points.

"I think we were more aware of our turnovers today, instead of sloughing them off," McFerrin said of the game. "I think our players really responded, and they really tried to take care of the ball."

Quick Notables:

Taylor Barnes set a season-high in assists after just the first half, handing out seven helpers in the first 20 minutes of play. The junior gave out four assists during the 13-0 run in the second quarter.
Barnes would finish the game with a career-high 11, a total that is tied for the 10^th most by a junior in program history. It also marks a single game high for The American Athletic Conference so far this season.
Barnes' 11 assists are the most in a game for a Tiger since Ariel Hearn had 12 on November 9, 2012 against Temple.
Alana Davis grabbed her sixth double-double of the season, and the tenth of her career. She joins a group of 20 players in Memphis history to have 10+ double-doubles in her career.
Jasmine James scored a career-high 16 points, making a career mark of eight field goals. She also grabbed seven rebounds in the win.
The Tigers have feasted on the offensive glass this season, giving themselves multiple extra possessions. Memphis did so against the Eagles, pulling down 16 offensive rebounds.

The Tigers will hit the floor again on January 1st, hitting the road for the first time since November 25^th, to take on George Washington at 1 p.m. CT. For more information on the Memphis women's basketball team, follow us on Twitter at @MemphisWBB.