University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
5-16,3-7AAC
Temple
13-9,7-4AAC
Second-Half Surge From Tigers Not Enough in Loss at Temple
Feb 05, 2025 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA – Memphis women's basketball dropped a contest with Temple on Wednesday morning inside the Liacouras Center, 74-66.
The Tigers (5-16, 3-7 AAC) fell behind by as much as 17 points but used a big second-half run to get the lead down to four but did not come any closer. Tilly Boler posted a career-high 27 points behind a career-high-tying four threes, including 22 in the second half. Alasia Smith played all 40 minutes for a second consecutive game, filling the stat sheet with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five steals, three blocks and two assists, and DeeDee Hagemann added nine points, eight assists and five steals.
The game, which tipped at 10:00 a.m. CT, started slowly for Memphis who converted on one of their first five field goals before a Tanyuel Welch corner three. Temple (13-9, 7-4 AAC) poured in a 10-0 run before Smith paused the momentum with a layup, but the Owl defense held firm all quarter, holding Memphis to nine points on 36% shooting and four turnovers.
The lead got as high as 16 before the Tigers responded with a pair of threes from Boler and Hagemann. With a chance for Memphis to cut it to 10 right before half, the Owls forced a key turnover and laid the ball up to make it a 14-point game heading into the break.
The Tigers brought a stronger intensity to the third period, picking up seven steals with Hagemann and Smith each recording three. The seven Owl turnovers turned into 10 Memphis points as the Tigers scored more points in the quarter (25) than they did in the opening half (23). A Smith three with 15 seconds left in the quarter brought the deficit all the way down to six.
Temple went on a quick 4-0 run to open the final stanza before Boler hit a three and Hagemann hit two free throws to cut the lead down to five. The Tigers continued to be uber-efficient on offense but were unable to secure many defense rebounds as the Owls out-rebounded Memphis 12-6 in the quarter. Boler's 13 points in the period were able to keep Memphis in the game, but Temple hit enough free throws to lead at the final buzzer, 74-66.
The battle on the glass proved decisive as Temple scored 18 second-chance points to the Tigers' six. Kaylah Turner, Savannah Curry and Jaleesah Molina each had 12 points to lead the Owls.
Memphis returns home for a contest with Florida Atlantic this Saturday, Feb. 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.
