After staying neck and neck through three stanzas, the visiting Murray State uncorked a fourth-quarter run to topple the injury-plagued Memphis women’s basketball team 87-83 on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Elma Rhone Fieldhouse.
The Lady Tigers have been peppered with injuries this season. Only 10 players were available for Saturday’s roster. The lack of depth took it’s toll in the fourth period.
After starting the quarter tied 64-64, Murray State raced out with a 17-4 gallop. The run was fueled by two quick three pointers by Senior Forward Kaetlyn Young and Sophomore Guard Halli Pook.
The Tigers clawed their way back 81-74, with 1:58 remaining. The margin proved too much. The visitors mopped up by going 6-8 from the charity stripe in the final :31 seconds.
Fouls provided a steady diet of scoring opportunities for the Racers, who went 24-33 from the line. By comparison, the Tigers shot 7-10.
Murray State was led by freshman guard Haven Ford, who pitched a double-double with 31 points – including 14 from the charity stripe – and 11 rebounds. Young and Pook contributed 22 points and 18 points, respectively. Senior wing Ava Learn also chipped in 10 points. The Racers shot 45% from the field from the game.
Memphis senior guard Tilly Boler paced the Tigers with 20 points. She was followed by junior guard Eaton, who added 18 points. Senior Forward Alasia Smith also scored 12 points and a game-best 12 rebounds. The trio played 30 minutes or more.
Tigers sophomore guard Tanyuel Welch had 12 points off the bench on 5-12 shooting. Senior forward Quinzia Fulmore provided further depth, with eight points and 11 rebounds.
It was the third loss in a row for the Lady Tigers. The program falls to 2-4 on the season. Murray St. climbs to 2-2.
The injury bug has nipped at Memphis early in the season. The latest casualty is senior forward Hannah Riddick, who went down with a season-ending ACL injury. She averaged 11.5 points and eight rebounds in four games.
However, help is expected in mid-January, when Michigan State transfer Dee Dee Hagemann becomes eligible. The senior guard averaged 12.3 points and 5.2 assists for the Spartans in 2023-24.
Memphis had its legs early, ending the first quarter 20-11. The fast start came courtesy five points from Eaton, along with four points apiece from Boler and Smith. The latter two each scored nine points after the first half. However, the margin was trimmed to 45-40 at the half.
After a seven-day layoff, the Tigers will regroup at Johnson City to square off against East Tennessee State on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m.
