Nov. 8, 2000

Box Score

MEMPHIS, TENN. - The University of Memphis Lady Tiger basketball team opened its preseason with a bang with an exhibition victory over Slovan Bratislava at the Elma Roane Field House on Wednesday afternoon. More than 1,500 children were in attendance for the game as part of a learning "field trip."

The Lady Tigers jumped out to an 8-2 lead to open the game, and never looked back. At the half, Memphis held a 31-point lead, and the squad looked impressive throughout the game. Every Lady Tiger played at least 13 minutes, and junior forward Malissa Bush led the Lady Tigers with 16 points and eight rebounds. Shannon Hamp looked impressive, as well, dropping in 15 points and pulling down six rebounds.

"I thought (Tiffany) Adkins, (Tiffany) Collins, (Malissa) Bush and (Shannon) Hamp were no doubt the solid players in the game today," said head coach Joye Lee-McNelis. I thought they did a very good job of trying to hold this group together."

Patrice Boyd and Tiffany Adkins stepped up with some senior leadership. Boyd grabbed seven rebounds from her new position as small forward, and Adkins scored 13 points. The Lady Tiger newcomers looked good, as well. Princess Swilley recorded three points, three rebounds and three assists in 17 minutes, while fellow guard Danielle Barnard gathered four assists in 15 minutes on the court. Kaneshi Hart played solidly inside against a rough defense, scoring six points on 3-of-3 shooting effort, and grabbing three rebounds.

"I was impressed with our effort in the first half, but not in the second half," said McNelis. "I thought we lacked focus and intensity in the second half. Our execution and our production struggled in the second half. We held them to 19 in the first half and then allowed them to score 36 in the second half. That is a team that will not win many ball games if you are only going to play a half."

Memphis outshot Slovan 55 percent to 44 percent for the game, but Memphis held its opponent to just 29 percent shooting (6-21) from the field in the first half. The Lady Tigers also forced Slovan to turn the ball over 29 times and allowed them just 18 total rebounds.

Four players scored in double digits for Slovan, led by Katarina Krizova's 17 points. Also in double figures for Slovan were Renata Kozmonova (13), Zuzana Mracnova (12) and Adriana Taskova who added 10 points.

Memphis next faces Christian Brothers University in the final exhibition meeting on Monday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. The Lady Tigers will open the regular season at the Pyramid on Nov. 18 against the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks. Tip-off against Arkansas is set for 1 p.m.