Feb. 15, 2002

Box Score

MEMPHIS, TENN. - Lackluster rebounding was critical to the fall of the Lady Tigers as they dropped a 65-59 decision to TCU here Friday evening. Memphis dropped to 11-13 overall, 5-6 in C-USA, while TCU improved to 19-5 overall, 9-2 in the league.

Though the Lady Tigers forced TCU to turn the ball over 36 times, it was TCU's rebounding that shifted the momentum to the Lady Frogs. TCU outrebounded Memphis, 47-21, in the lowest rebounding output for the Lady Tigers this season. Memphis managed just seven offensive boards as Shannon Hamp and Kaneshi Hart both led the squad with foour rebounds apiece. Melissa Abraham, who has led Memphis in rebounding all season and averages 8.2 boards a game, was held to no rebounds in just 10 minutes on the floor.

"Well did not play well between the ears tonight," said Memphis head coach Joye Lee-McNelis. "This is the same old sad story of our veteran players not stepping up and doing there job on a consistent basis. If we have to rely on first-year players to win ball games, there are going to be a lot of mistakes."

"I am proud of our effort," added McNelis. "I am proud of how hard we play. We just do not play smart basketball. We seem to look for ways to make mistakes and ways to give up the game. The bottom line is that at some point in our lives, we are going to have to learn from our mistakes. At this time of the year, effort keeps you in the game, but playing smart gets you the win."

Hamp led Memphis in scoring with 16 points off a 5-of-10 effort from the field, and a 6-of-8 showing from the free-throw line. Freshman Victoria Crawford followed Hamp with 12 points, while Princess Swilley rounded out the double-digit scoring with 10 points. Memphis shot 36 percent from the field, and was just 1-of-11 from three-point range.

Tiffany Evans led TCU in scoring and rebounding with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds. She was 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-7 from the free-throw line. Kati Safaritova totaled 12 points, while Ashanti Nix and Grace Gantt both chipped in 11 points. TCU shot 56 percent from the field, including a 65 percent shooting mark in the second half. TCU, which is averaging just under six treys a game, was held to 1-of-4 from behind the arc.

The Lady Tigers will return to the court for the final home game of the season on Sunday when they host the Houston Lady Cougars at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast as part of the C-USA TV package and will be carried locally by WKNO-TV10. The game also marks the final meeting at the Fieldhouse for seniors Lauren Jackson and Melissa Abraham. Both Lady Tigers will be honored before and after the game. The U of M marketing department has also slated the game as Ladies Night and all women will be admitted free of charge. The first 1,000 fans will receive a visor.