-University of Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis survived a last second attempt by Tulane to tie the game and the Tigers prevailed, 61-59, in the first Conference USA game for both teams. Jasmine Lee dominated the paint, scoring a season-high 21 points on 10-for-12 (83.3 percent) shooting.
Memphis (11-3, 1-0) had the two-point lead and the ball with 30 seconds left in the game and 14 ticks on the shot-clock. As the shot-clock waned, Brittany Carter drove toward the basket and put up a shot that caromed off the rim. The ball was eventually knocked out of bounds by the Tigers, who had Carter and Lee both diving along the sideline to try to save the rebound, giving Tulane (11-3, 0-1) a chance to either tie the game or take the lead.
Tulane’s Olivia Grayson attempted to drive to the basket, but was cut off by Ramses Lonlack and forced into a tough jumper with her momentum carrying her away from the basket. Time expired as the two teams went sprawling on the floor for the rebound, preserving the Tiger victory.
Memphis extended its three-point halftime lead to seven points early in the second half before Tulane made a run to tie the game at 47. Dickson found Lee for a lay-up with only three ticks left on the shot clock to help Memphis regain the lead. On the next Green Wave possession, Carter stole the ball and finished the fastbreak layup.
Tulane fought back and took the lead, 52-51, its first lead since the opening moments of the game. Grayson knocked down a three-pointer to extend the Green Wave-lead to four points, 59-55, with 4:08 remaining. It was the last points scored by Tulane, as the Tiger defense stiffened, and set up the dramatic finish.
Nicole Dickson added 16 points and seven rebounds for the Tigers. Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir and Danay Collier sparked Memphis’ defense, grabbing a combined seven steals. Abdul-Qaadir also set a school record for consecutive free-throws made by knocking down her 25th-straight attempt.
Lee led Memphis with 15 first-half points on 7-for-8 shooting from the floor, as Memphis held the halftime lead, 37-34. Dickson knocked down a pair of high-arcing three-point shots en route 10 points as Memphis extended its advantage to as many as 12 points. But, Tulane’s Danielle Blagg scored 14 points, on 4-for-4 shooting from long range, preventing Memphis from pulling away.
The Tigers were woeful on the boards, getting out-rebounded, 22-9, during the opening 20 minutes. However, tight on-ball defense forced Tulane into 13 turnovers, which Memphis converted into 16 points.
Blagg finished with 19 points leading Tulane. Grayson added 13 points and eight boards and Tyria Snow chipped in 11 points.
The Tigers travel to El Paso, Texas, for a matchup against UTEP on Sunday at 12:00 noon C.T. The Miners hold the all-time series lead, 5-2, although the Tigers won the last contest in El Paso, 59-57. That game will air live on Fox Sports Net as part of the Conference USA package.
