Memphis Women's Basketball played their final game of the non-conference schedule at FedEx Forum against Louisville. The result, a 87-68 loss, puts the Tigers at 2-9 on the season with a lot of work to do headed into the slate of conference games.
"I told the team, we have to forget this non-conference and move on to conference season," said Coach Alex Simmons after the game.
This contest was decided in the paint for the most part. Louisville had 44 points in that area and finished with a rebound-margin of plus eight, highlighted by the first quarter of Mackenly Randolph, who is the daughter of Grizzlies legend Zach Randolph. She had seven point in the first period, which led the team, and played great defensive minutes off the bench.
After a competitive first quarter, the floodgates opened. The Cardinals spaced the floor and made a monster 19-0 run, which ultimately decided the game. Tajianna Roberts led the way for Louisville with 23 points, who was supported by a double-double from senior forward Olivia Cochran.
The Tigers didn't go down without a fight though, they had a 20 point performance from Tily Boler, 15 for Alasia Smith, and a 13 ppoint, 8 asaist outing for DeeDee Hagemann.
Memphis is back in action on New Year's Day at home against Whichita State. Coach Simmons describes her mentality as she and the Tigers gear up for the AAC slate:
"At the end of the day, [for] the rest of our games, especially the first one on January 1st, everybody's record is 0-0. That's one of the good things going into American Conference play."
