Three Tigers score in double-figures as Memphis defeats Samford

Sunday, December 9

Memphis, Tenn.

2 p.m.

University of Memphis

Samford

Memphis

Photo by: Brandon Dill

Three Tigers score in double-figures as Memphis defeats Samford

Dec 09, 2018 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Tigers held on to their lead, making clutch free throws down the stretch to claim a 53-48 victory over the Samford Bulldogs Sunday afternoon. Memphis improves to 3-6 on the year.

Led by Taylor Barnes' 15 points, including shooting 7-for-9 from the free throw line, Memphis held off the Bulldogs' comeback efforts. Three Tigers scored in double-figures as Jamirah Shutes added 11 and Jada Stinson scored a season-high 10 points.

"I think there's something to be said for having to work hard for wins, and having to squeak one out. Today, we played like we were going to win," head coach Melissa McFerrin said of the win. "I thought Taylor Barnes was the player of the game today. I thought we got back to doing the little things, and making plays when we had to."

The first quarter was a back-and-forth event, neither team building more than a three-point lead. After giving up a three-pointer on Samford's first possession, the Tigers responded with a 6-0 run to take the early lead.

Establishing a defensive tone early, Brianna Porter blocked a Samford layup off of the shooter and out of bounds, earning the Tigers possession. Tied in the waning seconds of the quarter, Porter grabbed an offensive rebound and laid it up with just a second remaining to give Memphis an 11-9 lead at the end of one quarter.

Entering the second quarter, Memphis built on its lead, stretching it as high as five through the middle of the period. As the teams continued to battle, the Tigers were able to maintain their lead with free throws and defense. Memphis had the advantage at the free throw line, going 8-for-12 from the line, compared to the Bulldogs 1-for-2 shooting in the first half.

Memphis also rejected three shots in the first half and came away with three steals, helping the Tigers head into halftime with a 20-17 lead.

Coming out of the half, the Tigers built their halftime lead to double-digits midway through the quarter. Samford fought back, however, scoring 10 unanswered to bring the game to a one-point lead for Memphis. The Tigers regained their energy, pushing the lead back to five to finish the third quarter 35-30.

The final quarter of the afternoon saw Samford chip away at the lead until the Bulldogs tied the score at 45-all. After a layup gave the Bulldogs the lead, Jamirah Shutes would make a layup to tie the score at 47 with just over a minute remaining in the game.

After forcing a turnover, Shutes produced an old-fashioned three-point play to give Memphis a 50-47 lead. Three more free throws from Barnes and Stinson in the final seconds sealed the deal for the Tigers, winning the game by a 53-48 margin.

Quick Notables:

Jada Stinson scored a season-high with 10 points. She started the game after coming off the bench for the previous four.
With three blocks, Brianna Porter set a career-high for a single game. Her total of nine through nine games this season is a career-high.
Porter's three blocks also marked the fourth-consecutive game with multiple blocks.
Taylor Barnes was the first Tiger to score double-figures against the Bulldogs. The outing marked her 25^th career game of double-digit scoring.
The Tigers averaged 17.3 offensive rebounds per game coming into today, and Memphis snagged 11 on the afternoon. Memphis has grabbed double-digit offensive rebounds in every game this season.
In the last four years, the Tigers are 19-2 in games that are decided by five or fewer points. Memphis is 2-0 in such games this season.

The Tigers will hit the floor again at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Dec. 17 for a 7 p.m. tip against Southeast Missouri State. For more information on the Memphis women's basketball team, follow us on Twitter at @MemphisWBB.