Memphis Tigers vs. Wichita State Shockers takeawaysÂ
In yet another hard-fought game, the University of Memphis women’s basketball team suffered a 57-46 defeat at the hands of the Wichita State Shockers, a team they beat earlier in the season on the road. This loss is their 13th of the season, and their overall record stands at 9-13, including 4-4 in American Athletic Conference play. The Shockers have elevated their record to 10-12 but are still below the Tigers in AAC standings. The loss for the Tigers splits the team’s season series to 1-1.
Tigers were bullied defensively in the paint
In a position where the Tigers normally excel, Wichita State was able to exploit their interior defense. They scored 30 of their 57 points in the paint and had 12 offensive boards. Those offensive boards led them to score seven-second chance points.
Forward Tarjata Colbert led the team with four offensive rebounds. After her, there were two other Shockers who finished the game with two offensive rebounds.
Tigers’ mental errors hold them back offensively in first half
The Tigers’ offense had enough struggles this season when it has come to generating consistency on offense. These struggles aren’t made better when they’re making mistakes at the most inopportune times.
They had 12 turnovers in the first half, including a rough shot clock violation in the second quarter that practically summed up the game. They finished the game with 17 turnovers, but head coach Melissa McFerrin told media she didn’t think that was the crushing blow.
“It’s funny because when I got the stat sheet at half time, I didn’t realize we had all those turnovers,†McFerrin said. “We don’t like them, but they were strange kind of turnovers.â€
The Shockers’ defense was aggressive as well. They stole seven passes and made the most of their extra opportunities, scoring 10 points off of turnovers.
Alana Davis led the team with 20 points and shot 58.3 percent from the field.
Alana Davis and Brianna Porter were a dynamic duo in frontcourt
Forward Jasmine James may be the best scorer among the forwards, but it’s growing more apparent that the Tigers have other solid options at the position. Namely, in the form of Brianna Porter and Alana Davis. The two are some of the team’s better players, and it’s even more apparent when they’re on the court with each other.
In Wednesday’s game, Porter and Davis were both in the starting lineup for the first time since Dec. 29, 2018, against North Carolina Central, a game the Tigers won 77-56. In that game, Davis had a double-double, and Porter had four rebounds and a block in just 17 minutes.
This time the pair excelled in different areas of the game. Davis lacked in what McFerrin said she likes to call ‘dirty stats.’ Porter picked up the slack with eight rebounds and a block. Davis extended that same courtesy on offense, scoring 10 points, which tied for the team-high.
Conclusion
This loss was a reminder that the Tigers aren’t perfect and still have significant areas to improve in if they hope to make a deep run in the AAC tournament. Though the scoreboard says Wichita State beat them, the Tigers were their own worst enemy with their turnovers and faltering defense in the paint.
“The game was played with a general laissez-faire attitude,†McFerrin said. “That’s never good, and I think our general lackadaisical energy is why we lost the game.â€
Things won’t get any easier for the Tigers who will be traveling to take on the ECU Pirates on Feb. 9. They narrowly defeated the Pirates, 58-46, in January. I’m sure they’ll be another team looking for revenge against the Tigers, and if they see the same team the Shockers saw Wednesday, they’ll more than likely get it.
