The Lady Tigers started a fire in "The Jungle" last night with a big win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, winning 88-82.
Memphis doused the 15th-ranked Bulldogs with impressive defense in the first half, dominating the boards and out rebounding the Lady Bulldogs 48-32.
In the first, the Lady Tigers shot 50 percent from the field pushing the ball down the floor and making baskets in transition, while the Lady Bulldogs shot only 35 percent.
Patrice Boyd got some good looks and converted most of them into points for the team.
Latoya Thomas, the Lady Bulldogs leading scorer, racked up 48 points against the Lady Tigers and is now the record holder for most points scored in a game for Mississippi State. Boyd guarded Thomas closely and was commended by head coach Joye Lee-McNelis for a job well done.
"Boyd did a good job guarding Thomas," McNelis said.
Boyd commended herself for her efforts.
"It was a challenge, but I buckled down and got to see her ( Latoya Thomas) face to face. I think I did good," Boyd said. "She knows what she's doing and right now she is carrying her team on her back."
Sophomore Shannon Hamp scored the first two points of the second half and with help from senior Tiffany Adkins and her 17 foot jumper, the Lady Tigers enjoyed a 17 point lead, their biggest of the game.
The heated match featured a shootout between Adkins and Thomas. Although Thomas scored 48 points, the pre-season all-America candidate Adkins was not to be outdone. Adkins topped last season's high of 34 with 37 points against the Lady Bulldogs.
"It was a phenomenal game," Adkins said. "We played as well as any team that I have ever been on, and we played with a lot of confidence. We have to have that to be competitive."
The Lady Bulldogs came close at the end, but after leading the whole game, the Memphis was able to hang on.
"This was great win for us, We are making progress in our efforts to raise the bar," said McNelis. "We can't get satisfied because we have a long way to go. I am so glad we won."
This win improves the Lady Tigers's home record to 67-13 in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Friday, Nov. 24, Memphis will host East Tennessee State, Texas A&M and Northwestern State in the Lady Tiger Classic. Tipoff will be at 6 p.m.
