University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Saint Louis
Lady Tigers Defeat Saint Louis, 71-58
Feb 09, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 9, 2001
MEMPHIS, TENN. - Sophomore center Shannon Hamp poured in 17 points and collected eight rebounds, helping The University of Memphis Lady Tigers (11-11, 4-7) defeat the Billikens of Saint Louis (14-8, 5-6) on Friday evening, 71-58. The win snaps Memphis' two-game losing skid and also gives them their fourth C-USA win of the year.
Defensive pressure and costly turnovers dominated the flow of the game with both teams combining for 43 turnovers. The difference maker may have been at the charity stripe, as the Lady Tigers managed to shoot 74 percent (14-of-19) for the game. The Billikens weren't as fortunate, shooting 56 percent (9-of-16) from the line.
The U of M dictated the flow from the start and never trailed throughout the first half, leading by as many as 13 before going into the intermission with a 34-27 advantage.
The second half featured a more intense Billiken squad, as they took control of the lead in the third minutewhen Harmoni King buried a three-pointer which gave SLU the lead, 37-35. Saint Louis maintained their only advantage for the next minute-and-a-half before Memphis pulled even off a lay-up from junior forward Melissa Abraham and the score was knotted at 39. Memphis never trailed again and went up by 13 again before pulling out the victory.
Memphis also went on to dominate the paint, outscoring Saint Louis, 16-4. Memphis shot 44.3 percent (27-of-61) from the field while SLU shot 31.0 percent (22-of-71) from the field. Saint Louis outrebounded Memphis, 45-40.
Freshman guard Princess Swilley came off the bench and contributed immediately, finishing with 14 points and three assists. All-America candidate Tiffany Adkins was somewhat held in check but did manage to hit back-to-back treys in the second half which fended off a late Billiken rally. She finished with 13 points and four rebounds. Abraham led all scorers with 12 rebounds, in the win.
"This was a great win for us," said head coach Joye Lee-McNelis. "Anytime we can get a win under our belts after we have been struggling so much, it is a great confidence booster. This team has had a lot of pressure on them this year because they are the first team in eight years to struggle this late in the season. It has become somewhat of a mental game for them, and we really needed a good solid win to get things turned in the right direction."
"We played with a lot more intensity and energy," added McNelis. "That was the key to the game. We have been preaching all week in practice about having the want and the desire and the enthusiasm in these games. Tonight's game was a reflection of this week's practices and the effort that this team has been putting forth."
King led the way for SLU with 11 points and three assists while LaKia Jones collected a team-high nine boards, for the Billikens.
Memphis will host UNC Charlotte on Sunday at 3 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on WKNO-TV with commentary from Matt Dillon and former Lady Tiger guard Heather Phillips.
