Stephen F. Austin
Memphis
Memphis Defeats SFA
11/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 29, 2008
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Despite jumping out to a 9-0 lead, Memphis rallied for a 64-52 victory over Stephen F. Austin to win the 24th Annual Piggly Wiggly Classic. The loss dropped SFA to 4-2 on the season, while the Lady Tigers improved to 5-2.
The Ladyjacks got to a hot start over Memphis, knocking down four of their first five shots and took a nine-point lead, 9-0. The Ladyjacks' defensive pressure caused Memphis a ton of problems in the opening half as the Tigers were held scoreless until the 13:33 mark, missing their first six shots. SFA also forced Memphis into 14 first-half turnovers which SFA converted into 10 points.
While the Memphis offense was sputtering, the Ladyjacks spent the majority of the half over 40 percent, before Memphis rallied late in the half to cut the lead to two points. Junior Whitney Cormier hit one of two free throws with 8.3 seconds remaining in the half to give SFA a three-point advantage heading into the locker room.
Memphis opened the second half on a 4-0 run to claim their first lead of the game less than a minute into the final 20 minutes of action. The Lady Tigers connected on 10 of their first 14 shots in the second half to build a nine-point advantage, 51-42, with 7:16 remaining. Memphis' Paris Leonard led the charge with her game-high 21 points. While the Lady Tigers improved their shooting in the second half finishing the game at 37 percent, SFA finished the night 17-for-51 (.333). Cormier led SFA with 16 points and nine rebounds, while freshman Tammara Marion scored 10 points. Cormier, along with senior Natashia Green, was named to the all-tournament team.
The Ladyjacks return to action Tuesday when they host No. 5 Texas A&M. The game against the Aggies is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m., from the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The game is a scheduled double header with the SFA men's team. At halftime of the game SFA will induct former head Gary Blair into the Ladyjack Hall of Fame.
-SFA-
