Tigers downed by Louisville to close out 2024

Memphis drops final non-conference game

From the University of Memphis

GoTigersGo.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis women's basketball fell to Louisville on Saturday afternoon, 87-68, inside FedEx Forum.

The Tigers (2-9) once again put together a strong opening quarter against a strong Power 4 opponent, but the Cardinals (7-5) were able to win the second and third quarters in convincing fashion to pull away for their third road win of four this season.

Tilly Boler recorded her sixth 20-point game of the season with exactly 20; Alasia Smith had 15 points to go with six rebounds. In her second game of the season, DeeDee Hagemann had 16 points and eight assists with just one turnover.

Both defenses forced two turnovers in the opening minute of the game, with the Tigers' zone preventing Louisville from getting the ball into the post. The Cardinals responded after the turnovers with buckets on six consecutive possessions to lead by eight before a Boler mid-range jumper halted the run. Memphis closed the quarter strongly with a 12-4 run to tie the game at 21 behind an and-one and a threepointer from Smith.

After Boler's second three of the game gave Memphis a one-point advantage, Louisville went on a 16-0 run to build a 39-24 lead over the next three-and-a-half minutes. Memphis responded by forcing two turnovers and going on a 5-0 run of their own, but Tajianna Roberts drained a three to quiet the momentum. The Cardinals took a 51-36 lead into the break thanks to their best shooting period by far, making four of six attempts from three-point land. The teams traded buckets out of the break as the lead got down to 13 before Louisville went on a 12-0 run over four minutes of action to reassert control of the game. Memphis continued to press and worked the lead back down to 15 from 22 in the fourth quarter, but Louisville was able to score enough to cap the victory without much drama.

Roberts, a freshman who was a five-star recruit out of IMG Academy, led the visitors with a career-high 23 points behind three three-pointers. Olivia Cochran posted her second double-double in three games behind 12 points and 13 rebounds. Louisville used a season- high 25 Memphis turnovers to get 16 fast break points, and had 36 bench points to the Tigers' eight.

Up Next

home games. Wichita State will come to town to kick off the new year with a 3:00 p.m. game at Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

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Memphis will be off until New Year's Day, commencing conference play with two consecutive