Davis, Mendjiadeu reach milestones in Tigers’ loss to Temple

Thursday, March 4

Philadelphia, PA

11:00 AM

University of Memphis

4-14,2-11AAC

Temple

11-10,11-7AAC

Memphis

Temple

Davis, Mendjiadeu reach milestones in Tigers’ loss to Temple

Mar 04, 2021 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA – Senior forwards Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu and Alana Davis passed career-defining marks on Thursday afternoon, but the University of Memphis women's basketball team came up short against Temple, losing 66-52 in their regular season finale at McGonigle Hall. The Tigers (4-14, 2-11 AAC) will get the No. 10 seed in next week's American Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Championship in Fort Worth, Texas, while the Owls (11-10, 11-7 AAC) will be the No. 5 seed.

Mendjiadeu recorded the 24^th double-double of her Memphis career with 13 points and 24 rebounds, moving into the top-five all time in Tiger history in career double-doubles. Davis scored 11 points to reach 1,009 for her career, becoming the 26^th Tiger to surpass the 1,000-point threshold.

How It Happened
The Tigers started slowly, as the Owls forced five turnovers in the first three-and-a-half minutes while getting an 8-0 head start. Memphis responded by playing Temple even for the rest of the quarter, helped by a perfect 3-for-3 effort from the floor from Alana Davis.

The Tigers' half-court defense forced Temple to miss their first six shots of the second quarter, and Memphis gained momentum by using the free throw line. Four foul shots from Coriah Beck sandwiched another Davis layup to helped the Tigers cut the lead down to two at 22-20. Davis and Keke Hunter chipped in three more free throws to stay within two at 25-23. Memphis finally earned their first tie at 25-all with a Jatyjia Jones layup, and they took the lead for the first time at 27-25 with yet another make from Davis, giving her 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting (and one free throw). The game was tied 29-all at halftime, with neither side shooting above 35%.

The third quarter did little to separate the two teams, with Memphis entering the fourth quarter holding a 46-45 edge. Temple would have the final say: A swarming Owls defense engineered an 18-0 run in the heart of the fourth quarter, forcing the Tigers into a missed shot or a turnover on nine consecutive possessions. Temple's lead grew as high as 17 before they went without a field goal over the game's final three minutes.

Davis and Mendjiadeu were the only Tigers in double figures and shot a combined 11-of-17 from the field (65%). Temple's Jasha Clinton led all scorers with 23 points, including 18 after halftime.

Notes from Thursday's Game
*Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu notched her eighth double-double of the year; her 24^th career double-double tied her with Jasmine Lee for fifth place on the program's all-time list. The Tigers are now 4-5 this year when Mendjiadeu goes for double digits in points and rebounds, and 13-11 in her career.

*Alana Davis reached the 1,000-point barrier on her first shot of the game and crossed it on her second shot, both coming within a span of just over a minute late in the first quarter.

*Thursday's regular season finale marked the first collegiate starts for freshman Callie Wright and sophomore Lanyce Williams, who totaled a combined four minutes of action.

Up Next: The AAC Tournament
Memphis, the No. 10 seed, will square off with No. 7 seed Cincinnati in the opening round of next week's American Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Championship, beginning play at 4:30 p.m. CT on Monday, March 8. The tournament will be held at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, the same arena that will host the AAC's men's basketball tournament later in the week. Monday's game will air on ESPN+, and live audio will be streamed on the Memphis Tiger Network.

Go Tigers Go!
Keep tabs on the Tigers on social media at Facebook.com/MemphisWBB, follow @MemphisWBB on Twitter and Instagram, or download the official Memphis Tigers app to your smartphone or tablet.