Davis Leads the Way as Tigers Fall to Trojans

Thursday, November 18

Little Rock, Ark.

6:30 p.m.

University of Memphis

2-1,0-0AAC

Little Rock

3-1,0-0Sun Belt

Memphis

Little Rock

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Nov 18, 2021 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – It was a defensive battle from the jump as the Tigers (2-1) took their first road trip to Little Rock (3-1) to face-off with the Trojans. While Memphis made a comeback, and even took the lead in the second half, late free throws from Little Rock would push them past Memphis and hand the Tigers their first loss of the season with a final score of 55-50.

The Memphis offense got off to a slow start, scoring just seven points in the opening frame of play.

It was a different story in the second quarter; after looking at a 13-7 deficit, Memphis opened with back-to-back baskets from Jamirah Shutes to cut the Trojans led to just one.

Little Rock would continue to push the ball, getting 10 of their first 20 points from leading scorer Sali Kourouma.

Memphis would take their first lead of the game with 4:32 left in the first half when Madison Griggs drained a three-pointer with a Little Rock defender in her face. After the Trojans tied the game for the fourth time, Jatyjia Jones drained the Tigers second three-pointer of the game from the corner to give Memphis the 24-21 lead.

The Trojan defense would hold the Tiger offense scoreless in the final two minutes of the half and go into halftime looking at a 26-24 game.

It was a back-and-forth game to open the third quarter. The Tigers would get consecutive buckets from Davis and another long range three-pointer from Griggs to push Memphis' lead out to 31-28. Kourouma, who led the Trojans in scoring tonight, would add in a short jumper in the paint and a three-pointer to tie the game once again.

The Tigers offense got a spark to end the third quarter after Jones made her second three-pointer of the game and Shutes drained two free throws with one second left to put Memphis up 44-41 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

Memphis would get their largest lead of the game with 7:35 left after Emani Jefferson sank two free-throws and extended their leaded out to 47-41. Little Rock would fight their way back and tie the game at 49-49 with less than three minutes left to play.

Little Rock's offense would get a push late in the game that put them up 53-49 with 24 seconds left in the game. Memphis would try to stage a comeback, but late free throws from the Trojans would secure them the 55-50 win.

Alana Davis led the team with 10 points and eight rebounds while Jefferson and Shutes added in nine points, each.

Memphis will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they host the Rattlers of Florida A&M. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

The Tigers will hit the road again next week when they take on Liberty University on Tuesday night and then take part in the Loyola Marymont University Thanksgiving Classic on Friday and Saturday.

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