Memphis Women’s Basketball looked to get back in the win column as they traveled across the state to take on the East Tennessee State Buccaneers in Johnson City. While they did not accomplish this, falling 78-71, a comeback from down 19 gives the Tigers a lot of positives to take away from this game.
The game started in a very unusual way; Memphis was awarded a free throw before the game because of a technical foul on ETSU. Their scoreboard wasn’t working properly. So, the Tigers started the game up 1-0 at tipoff.
After this weird bit of admin, the first quarter had all the makings of a great defensive battle. Neither team could make much from the field, shooting a combined 8-29. Memphis kept the quarter close by hitting six out of their seven free throw attempts to keep the score at 14-13 in favor of the home team after the first period.
The Buccaneers proceeded to slam on the gas in the second quarter. They outscored Memphis 27-9 behind a lockdown defense and a lack of effort by the Tigers.
ETSU ran up and down the court all over Memphis, led by Cortney Moore who finished the game with 25 points. They were beating the Tigers in the paint and in transition, while also forcing contested shots early in the shot clock.
The catalyst for the Buccaneers explosion of offense came down to their ball movement, they had 11 first half assists, 8 of which were in the second period, while not turning the ball over a single time. They parlayed this into a 41-22 halftime lead.
It will forever be a mystery what Coach Simmons said to the team in the locker room, but whatever it was worked to perfection.
The Tigers came roaring out of the break looking like a completely different team in the third quarter. They forced 8 ETSU turnovers and went on a 9-0 run to take a chunk out of the Buccaneer lead.
Led by a breakout quarter by Layken Cox and Elauna Eaton, Memphis outscored their opponents 30-11 in this period. They held ETSU to just three field goals made as the Tigers looked to complete the rally.
Cox, who had 18 for the game, ended the period strong for Memphis, driving through the lane to lay the ball in to tie the game at 52 headed into the final quarter.
While Memphis put up a great fight, ETSU just had a little too much for Memphis in the fourth. The Buccaneers exploded with a 6-0 run out of the gates. After this, Moore hit a pair of threes and Braylyn Milton hit the finishing mid-range jumper to ice the game for the home team.
Women’s Basketball will be back in action on December 8th on the road vs Southern Miss.
