The University of Memphis women’s basketball team fell to UT Martin 79-73 in the first round of the WNIT Thursday night at Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
Memphis nearly pulled off a comeback for the ages as the Tigers trailed 31-11 midway through the second quarter. Though they fought back to take the lead twice in the fourth quarter, the Skyhawks made just enough shots and free throws to end Memphis’ season.
Tigers’ coach Melissa McFerrin said they got off to a difficult start because it took her team some time to get used to UT Martin’s offense, one in which came into the game second in the nation in three-pointers made per game (10.6).
“I thought we were very hesitant against their zone, and what they were doing offensively is like nothing the opponents you play against all year long,” McFerrin said. “I thought once we got back in the game in the second half, we had three or four transition opportunities that did not come good and that might’ve been the difference in the game.”
Memphis finished the 2015-16 season with an 18-13 record after the loss to the Skyhawks. While the Tigers ended the regular season with nine wins in its final 11 game, it fell at the first hurdle in both the American Athletic Conference tournament (Tulane) and tonight’s WNIT loss.
While most of Memphis’ damage was done in the second half, the Tigers simply could not overcome its poor first half. One in which UT Martin shot 59 percent from the field and led 45-31 at halftime. Katie Schubert, who was one of five double digit scorers for the Skyhawks, led UT Martin with 19 points and also grabbed seven rebounds.
All four of Memphis’ seniors put in solid performances in their final game for the Blue and Gray. Asianna Fuqua-Bey led Memphis with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Her fellow frontcourt teammate Brianna Wright recorded 17 points, 11 of which came in the second half, and six rebounds. Ariel Hearn had 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and six turnovers. Mooriah Rowser also made three of the Tigers six three-pointers on the night as she finished with nine points and two assists.
McFerrin said after the game without question the most important thing her seniors accomplished was helping bring Memphis back to respectability after failing to make the postseason in the Tigers’ first two seasons in the AAC.
“This group of seniors have not had an easy run, they were recruited playing in Conference USA and all of a sudden we’re in the American,” McFerrin said. “By the end of their careers, hard years, they put Memphis back on the map and in a very respectable position.”
The University of Memphis women's basketball team huddles during a timeout in its game against UT Martin.
