Discovering the Heartbeat of the University of Memphis: A Journey through its Legacy and Innovation

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – On Saturday afternoon, Memphis women’s basketball suffered a close defeat to North Texas at Elma Roane Fieldhouse, as the Mean Green clinched a 73-71 win with a score in the final 2.6 seconds. 

Trailing 68-64 with two minutes remaining, the Tigers (3-10, 1-1 AAC) responded with five consecutive points to gain a one-point advantage until North Texas (11-4, 3-0 AAC) executed an and-one play, regaining the lead at 70-68. A designed empty-side pick-and-roll by Alex Simmons for DeeDee Hagemann and Alasia Smith allowed Smith to finish with a layup with six seconds left, but the visitors answered with a game-winning shot by Ereauna Hardaway. 

Throughout a game featuring six lead changes, Tilly Boler recorded 19 points, narrowly missing her fourth straight game of scoring 20. Alasia Smith secured a double-double for the second consecutive game, finishing with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and a personal best of five blocks, and DeeDee Hagemann added 16 points along with three assists. 

The Mean Green initiated the game’s scoring with a 9-2 surge spurred by two early turnovers by Memphis, but the visitors struggled with ball security as well, committing three turnovers in the first five minutes. North Texas entered the bonus with 3:00 left in the first quarter, converting all six free throws in that timeframe and making seven of seven throughout the period. Hagemann sprinted down the court, hitting a midrange jumper just as the period ended to reduce the Mean Green’s lead to 21-15. 

Starting the second half, Memphis embarked on a 7-4 run fueled by four additional points from Hagemann. North Texas seized control, launching a 6-0 run, but Boler contributed a steal and score to narrow it to 31-24. UNT extended their lead to nine prior to a 6-0 run by the Tigers towards the end of the half; however, a put-back by Aniyah Johnson ensured the Mean Green maintained a 35-30 lead at halftime. 

After converting only 1-for-10 from beyond the arc in the first half, Memphis hit four of their first five attempts from long range, including three consecutively to spark a 9-3 run, closing the gap to one point. With the Tigers in the bonus for the last five-plus minutes of the period, they achieved their first lead at 46-45 following two free throws by Tanyuel Welch. Memphis held a lead of four during the quarter until the visitors strung together a 10-0 run, heading into the final quarter up by three.

North Texas launched the fourth quarter with a 6-0 streak, but the Tigers countered with an 11-1 run to regain a one-point lead. Thanks to second-chance points, the Mean Green reclaimed and extended their lead aided by a crucial and-one, putting Memphis in a challenging position down four with two remaining minutes. Hagemann reached the free-throw line, making one of two, while Smith battled through contact to score at the rim, narrowing the margin to one.

Following a second consecutive defensive stop and rebound, Memphis had a chance to regain the lead, and Boler executed with a drive and finish from the left side, beginning four straight scoring possessions for both teams that ultimately resulted in Hardaway’s game-winner. A well-designed play gave Smith an opportunity at the rim with two seconds remaining, but she was unable to finish amidst a tangle of bodies as the Mean Green secured their sixth straight conference victory dating back to last season. 

Hardaway led North Texas with 18 points and seven assists, while Tommisha Lampkin and Johnson both achieved double-doubles. Memphis restricted the visitors to a shooting percentage of 39.7% – the fourth-lowest of their season – yet allowed 25 second-chance points due to 17 offensive rebounds. 

Next, the Tigers will travel to Birmingham, Alabama, to face UAB on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 6:00 p.m. 

How to follow the Tigers: For comprehensive details on Memphis Tigers Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and stay updated via the team’s social media profiles on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.