University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
2-5,0-0AAC
ETSU
4-4,0-0SoCon
19-Point Comeback Comes Up Just Short at ETSU
Dec 01, 2024 | Women's Basketball
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Memphis women's basketball erased a 19-point halftime deficit in just 10 minutes on Sunday afternoon but ran out of gas in the fourth quarter, falling 78-71 to ETSU.
The Tigers (2-5) posted a 30-11 third quarter, the largest margin since January 20 against FAU, but ETSU grabbed the momentum back with a 6-0 run early in the fourth to create a lead they would never relinquish.
Elauna Eaton led the team in scoring for the second time this season, posting a career-high 20 points thanks to four three-pointers. Layken Cox added 18 points, the highest in her 31 games with the Tigers.
Back in her hometown of Johnson City, Alasia Smith received a warm welcome from the crowd and posted eight points, nine rebounds and four steals.
After Memphis built a 13-11 lead near the end of the first quarter, the Bucs went on a 24-5 extended run over seven minutes to hold a firm advantage. The lead extended to 19 as the Tigers faced their deepest halftime hole of the 2024-25 season.
On the back of four steals from Smith, Memphis forced seven turnovers in five minutes to fuel a 12-0 run and cut the lead to seven. The quarter ended with Eaton finding Cox inside, and her left-handed shot fell as time expired to completely expunge the deficit.
Both teams exchanged buckets down the stretch, but ETSU was able to string a few stops together and score on four out of five possessions to pull away. Memphis out-rebounded the Bucs, 42-36, but they allowed 17 turnovers to turn into 14 fast-break points. Courtney Moore paced ETSU with 25 points on just 14 shots.
The Tigers will continue their road trip in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, playing Southern Miss on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2:00 p.m.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
