Memphis women’s basketball falls 82-74 to Saint Louis in overtime

Friday, December 4

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6 PM

University of Memphis

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Memphis women’s basketball falls 82-74 to Saint Louis in overtime

Dec 04, 2020 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu has her first double-double of the season

ST. LOUIS – Senior forward Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu had her first double-double of the season, scoring 21 points and grabbing 17 rebounds as the Memphis women's basketball team fell to Saint Louis 82-74 in overtime on Friday.

Memphis got off to a quick start with scoring contributions by sophomore guards Aerial Wilson and Madison Griggs along with Fankam Mendjiadeu in the first three minutes as the Tigers took a 9-2 lead. A three-pointer by Saint Louis' Peyton Kennedy closed the scoring gap as the Tigers only led by five points with 5:38 left on the clock. This gave the Billikens momentum that carried through the majority of the period.

Two made free throws by Saint Louis' Myriama Smith Traore gave them the lead with only 1:46 left on the clock. With less than two minutes left in the period, Griggs went 1-2 at the free-throw line to tie the game. A basket made by Fankam Mendjiadeu at the buzzer secured a 19-14 lead for the Tigers at the conclusion of the first period.

Saint Louis got a three from Natalie McNeal immediately followed by a layup from Myia Clark early in the second period to tie the game, but Memphis later answered with a jumper by Julan McDonald to bring the score to 21-19. Momentum kicked in for the Tigers during the second half of the period as Fankam Mendjiadeu made back-to-back layups with less than four minutes left on the clock. After a made layup by senior forward Alana Davis, the Tigers led at the half 30-22.

The third period was one of many three-pointers, as Memphis made 80% of its shots taken.
Saint Louis opened the second half with a jumper by Smith Traore, but the Tigers answered with a layup and one by Davis to bring the score to 33-24. With 6:51 left on the clock, Wilson and Davis scored consecutive threes to bring the score to 40-26. The Billikens gained momentum and scored 13 points in less than two minutes. A three-pointer by Saint Louis' Rachel Kent with less than a minute on the clock closed the scoring gap to just two points as the Tigers led 51-49 at the conclusion of the period.

Wilson started the final period with back-to-back layups bringing the Tigers to a 56-49 lead with 8:02 left on the clock. A three-pointer late in the period by Saint Louis' Ciaja Harbison brought the score to 70-68. A layup by the Billikens with four seconds left on the clock tied the game and a missed three at the buzzer by Griggs sent the game into overtime.

The Billikens opened overtime scoring five in a row. While Saint Louis was on a scoring spree, Memphis had three starters – Fankam Mendjiadeu, Davis and Jones – foul out of the game. Memphis just couldn't seem to recover, and Saint Louis went on to defeat the Tigers 82-74.

Memphis returns to action on Sunday, hosting Liberty University at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN+.