University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Charlotte
Lady Tigers Snap Two-Game Losing Streak
Feb 25, 2000 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2000
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The University of Memphis women's basketball team edged one game closer to receiving a bye in the C-USA Tournament next weekend with a 76-62 victory over UNC Charlotte here Friday evening.
The Lady Tigers improved to 16-10 overall, 10-5 in Conference USA, with the win over UNCC. The 49ers dropped to 8-18 on the year, 3-12 in C-USA, and have lost 12 of their last 13 games.
All-C-USA candidate Tiffany Adkins led the Lady Tigers with 21 points off a 9-of-14 effort from the field. Adkins also totaled three rebounds, four assists, four steals and a blocked shot in 30 minutes of action on the court. Also in double digits for Memphis were Yolanda Reed with 12 points, and Kelly Herron and Patrice Boyd who both added 10 points apiece. Herron's 10 points were the most she has scored in league action, and the most points she has dropped in since her 14-point effort against Arkansas in mid-December.
"I think the one thing that really helped us get this win was our defense," said coach Joye Lee-McNelis. "Our zone was effective and our half court press gave them trouble. They have some really great players and we knew we were going to have to work hard tonight."
Freshman Shannon Hamp led the Lady Tigers in rebounding, pulling down seven boards. The C-USA all-freshman candidate also totaled four points in 21 minutes of action. Boyd and Melissa Abraham both pulled down four rebounds apiece. UNC Charlotte outrebounded Memphis, 41-35, and were led by Jennifer Smith who totaled 11 boards on the night. Smith also blocked five shots as the 49ers recorded a school-record 12 blocked shots. Also recording blocked shots for UNCC were Adrienne Jordan with five and Tonya Phifer and Sarah Fisher who both blocked a shot.
Tonya Phifer led the 49ers in scoring with 20 points off a 9-of-17 effort from the field. She also totaled two assists, five rebounds and five steals. Phifer was the only 49er in double digits, as the next leading scorer --- Alicia Abernathy totaled just nine points.
The Lady Tigers took a 12-point lead into the lockerroom at the half, 36-24, after shooting 42.4 percent from the field and hitting 4-of-7 shots from three-point land. Kelly Herron hit two treys in the half, while Yolanda Reed and Patrice Boyd both added a three pointer. The first half was close, as UNC Charlotte tied the score 19-19 with 7:04 left in the half, but the Lady Tigers used a 13-0 run to their advantage, holding the 49ers scoreless for almost five minutes.
Kelly Herron led Memphis in the first half with eight points, while Tiffany Adkins, Yolanda Reed and Patrice Boyd all had seven points at the half. Tonya Phifer led UNCC in the first half with six points. UNC Charlotte shot 41.7 percent from the field in the first half, and both squads totaled 15 rebounds. The Memphis defense shook the 49ers up a bit in the early stages of the game, forcing UNC Charlotte to turn the ball over 16 times.
The Lady Tigers will close out the regular season Sunday with a 2 p.m. game on the road against Saint Louis. They will travel to Louisville, Ky., next week to participate in the Jewish Hospital Conference USA Tournament, hosted by the University of Louisville at Freedom Hall, March 3-6. The bracket for the tournament will be announced late Sunday evening.
