Tigers Fall Short Against ECU, Suffer 68-59 Setback

Saturday, February 9

Greenville, N.C.

12 p.m.

University of Memphis

9-14, 4-6AAC

ECU*

12-11, 3-7AAC

Memphis

ECU

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Tigers Fall Short Against ECU, Suffer 68-59 Setback

Feb 09, 2019 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Memphis mounts valiant second-half comeback attempt in loss

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After a second-half comeback that saw the Tigers trim a 19-point deficit to single-digits, Memphis fell to ECU 68-59 on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers drop to 9-14 overall and 4-6 in conference play.

The Tigers were led by Jamirah Shutes' 16 points and a hard-fought double-double by Alana Davis, who finished with 10 points and a career-high 18 rebounds.

Memphis came out hitting shots in a balanced show of offense. Seven Tigers connected on a shot during the first quarter, and Memphis ended the period shooting 50 percent from the floor. Despite being plagued by turnovers, Memphis's efficient shooting and defensive pressure kept the game close. The Pirates shot just 28 percent from the field, hitting five field goals and knocking down nine free throws to build a 20-18 lead.

Davis found her stride in the second quarter, climbing to totals of seven points and eight rebounds by halftime. The Tiger defense continued to pressure shooters and keep ECU with sub-30 percent shooting from the field in the half.

Out of the halfway break, Memphis started finding a rhythm, clawing its way back into the game. Early in the third quarter, the Tigers rattled off an 8-0 run, capped by a Jada Stinson triple, to cut the margin to 46-35 with just under seven minutes remaining in the quarter. Stinson would score the final basket of the quarter as well, bringing the Tigers within 10 points heading into the final frame.

The Pirates would keep the distance in the fourth quarter, despite the Tigers narrowing the lead to single digits several times. Shutes connected on six free throws in the quarter to bring her scoring total to double-figures, but turnovers would cost Memphis valuable possessions down the stretch.

Quick Notables:

Alana Davis recorded her eighth double-double of the season, the 12^th of her career. Davis scored 10 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds.
Davis' 18 rebounds are tied for the second-most in a single game by a sophomore in school history.
The Tigers have grabbed double-digit offensive rebounds in all but three games this season, having snagged 14 against the Pirates.
Taylor Barnes connected on season-high three, three-pointers. The junior guard scored 11 points.
Jamirah Shutes led the way for the Tigers, scoring 16 points. Shutes netted double-figures for the 15^th time this season.
ECU finished the afternoon shooting 26 percent, marking the 10^th time Memphis has held a team below 35 percent shooting.
The Pirates were also the 10^th team to shoot below 25 percent from beyond the arc against the Tigers this season.

The Tigers will be back at home for their next game, taking on Cincinnati in the annual Play4Kay game. Memphis tips off against the Bearcats at 5:30 p.m., at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. For more information on the Memphis women's basketball team, follow us on social media at @MemphisWBB.