Women's hoops completes UAB sweep with 77-52 win

Sunday, December 8

Memphis, Tenn.

2 PM

University of Memphis

5-4,0-0AAC

UAB

-53,00 CUSA

UAB

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Dec 08, 2019 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu posts third career double-double; Davis and Herndon score 15 points each

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Combining a staunch defensive effort with a dominating presence in the paint, the University of Memphis women's basketball team opened December by defeating the UAB Blazers 77-52 Sunday afternoon. The victory lifts the Tigers to a 5-4 record on the year.

Led by Gazmyne Herndon and Alana Davis' 15 points, the Tigers held a UAB offense that averaged 80 points per game to just 52 on the afternoon. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu played a strong presence in the paint as well, posting her third career double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

The Blazers shot 29 percent from the floor, marking the third time this season that Memphis has held an opponent to under 30 percent shooting.

Memphis came out with a strong defensive effort in the first quarter, holding UAB to a 27 percent field goal percentage, including a 2-for-9 start from beyond the arc. On the offensive side of the floor, the Tigers leapt out to a 7-0 run in the first two minutes, capped by a layup by Herndon that forced a UAB timeout with 8:16 remaining in the period. Davis finished the quarter with nine points, hitting three of her four shots and connecting on three free throws.

Maintaining defensive pressure into the second, the Tigers limited the Blazers offense to just nine points on 25 percent shooting. The visitors also turned the ball over six times in the quarter, amounting to nine first-half miscues. Memphis used balanced scoring to build a 34-19 lead at the midway break. Five Tigers scored at least five points in the first half, led by Davis' nine.

The teams traded baskets in the third, as the Tigers outscored the Blazers 22-18. Herndon added seven points in the quarter, hitting both field goals and all three of her free throws. Eclipsing double-figures, Herndon marked a fifth-consecutive game with double-digit points. Memphis held UAB scoreless for over two minutes in the early stages of the quarter, helping build the lead to as many as 21 with 6:45 remaining in the third.

Memphis continued to attack the paint in the fourth quarter to finish the game on a high note. Jamirah Shutes put in seven in the quarter to put the game on ice. She would finish the afternoon with nine points and a team-best four assists. Points in the paint played a massive role in the win, as the Tigers scored 46 points between the blocks.

Up next for the Tigers is a Saturday showdown with Arkansas State. Tipoff against the Red Wolves is set for 2 p.m. at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. For more information on the Memphis women's basketball team, follow the Tigers on social media at @MemphisWBB.

Tiger Tidbits

Starters for the Tigers were senior Gazmyne Herndon, juniors Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu and Keke Hunter, sophomore Jamirah Shutes and freshman Aerial Wilson.
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu recorded her third-career double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing a career-high 13 rebounds.
Gazmyne Herndon scored in double-figures, netting 10-plus points for a fifth-straight game.
Herndon tied Alana Davis with a team-high 15 points.
Keke Hunter set a career-best with three blocks.
Memphis held UAB to 29 percent shooting, the third opponent that has been held under 30 perent shooting.
UAB came into the game averaging 80 points per game. Memphis held the Blazers to just 52 for the game.
The Tigers recorded a season-low eight turnovers against UAB.