University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Charlotte
Lady Tiger Basketball Falls in Overtime
Jan 31, 2003 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 31, 2003
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Sakellie Daniels scored seven of her 12 points in overtime as Charlotte (13-5, 5-0 C-USA) came back to remain perfect in Conference USA play with a 73-68 win over The University of Memphis (9-10, 2-4 C-USA) at Halton Arena in Charlotte, Friday. It was the Lady Tigers' sixth consecutive road loss of the season and marked Charlotte's first-ever regular season win over the Lady Tigers. Charlotte's previous two wins came in the conference tournament, including a 58-46 loss in the first round of the C-USA tournament last season.
Memphis outrebounded Charlotte 20-12 in the opening 20 minutes to take a 37-30 lead into the break. Junior Princess Swilley led the Lady Tigers in the opening 20 minutes, scoring 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor. Senior Shannon Hamp had 10 points in the opening half to give Memphis the lead. Swilley would finish with a game-high 21 points, while Hamp added 19 in the loss.
But a 7:19 field goal shooting drought allowed the 49ers and the crowd back into the game, as 49er forward Alicia Abernathy hit a three-point field goal to put Charlotte up 49-48 at the 8:54 mark. Abernathy then stole the ball and drove the length of the court to put the 49ers up 51-48. The only senior on the Charlotte roster, Abernathy finished with 15 points despite first half foul trouble and fouling out in the second half.
The Lady Tigers had trouble getting into the offensive flow as a half court trap of the Memphis guards forced Memphis into a season-high 32 turnovers for the game. Charlotte allowed Memphis to score just 11 points in the first 11:06 of the second half.
Memphis would answer back and the two teams would tie and trade leads throughout the remainder of the second half when a trey from Abernathy pulled Charlotte even with the Lady Tigers at 65 with 59.9 seconds to play. Both teams had opportunities in the final minute, but neither could convert to send Memphis into overtime for the first time this season.
It was all Daniels in the extra session as the freshman hit a bucket with 4:34 left in the session, then converted five-of-six free-throws to give the 49ers all the offense they would need. Memphis guard Raven Rogers hit the Lady Tigers' only points of the overtime session, sinking her only trey of the night with 13.9 seconds left in the game. Rogers would finish with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Five 49ers tallied double-digit scoring in the loss. Abernathy led Charlotte with15 points, while Monica League added 14. Daniels and Pam Brown each added 12 points, while Leslie Cook finished with 11 points.
The Lady Tigers will fly to Greenville, N.C. tonight and will face East Carolina, Sunday, at 2 p.m. (ET).
