With injuries decimating the Memphis Tigers’ rotation, Womens’ Head Basketball Coach Alex Simmons knew her team would be in a tough predicament. Only eight players were available for Saturday’s game against Troy (5-5).
Despite putting up a valiant effort in the second half, the Tigers (2-7) were eventually overwhelmed and fell 85-67 to the Trojan, giving Memphis its sixth straight loss.
Guard Tanyuel Welch was a bright spot for the Tigers, pouring in a career high 21 points while forward Alasia Smith contributed 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds and three assists.
Troy’s scoring attack varied from guards Ashley Baez and Zay Dyer, who scored 16 points each, to forward Brianna Jackson, also contributing 16 points as well.
The Tigers could hardly buy a bucket in the first half, as the squad shot just 34 percent from the field. They also couldn’t stop anybody on the defensive end, as Troy shot a scorching 55 percent in the half. The Tigers went into halftime in catch-up mode, trailing 45-31.
Memphis showed more fight and firepower after the half, as senior guard Elauna Eaton scored five of her 10 points in the third. Welch also chipped in 10 points and as a team, Memphis made 10 of 11 field goals during the third quarter. But the defense still didn’t get stops, and the Tigers only outscored Troy 21-19 in the process.
Memphis had one more rally in them early in the fourth quarter, getting as close as seven points in the frame. But Troy simply squashed any opportunity of the Tigers making a serious comeback, giving up just four total field goals to Memphis in the final frame of play.
The Tigers haven’t won since Nov. 10.
Despite the loss, freshmen Bailey Gilmore and Tamya Smith were effective in their roles Saturday, standing out through hustle plays and rebounding, areas that Memphis sorely needed reinforcements within. Speaking of reinforcements, point guard DeeDee Hagemann is slated to return Wednesday night for Memphis as they take on Tennessee (7:30 p.m).
