[Box Score]
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Erica Brown ties her career record with 20 points, but Memphis came away with the victory Sunday [Nov. 15] afternoon 80-49. The loss drops EIU to 1-1 on the season while Memphis improves to 2-0.
EIU came out of the gates firing on all cylinders as they led the Tigers 11-6 at the first media timeout. The Panthers forced six turnovers with 4:43 left in the period led by Shakita Cox earning two steals. Cox finished the game with three steals to her name. Memphis came out of the timeout and really turned up the pressure defensively forcing four turnovers in the remaining minutes of the period earning ten points off of those turnovers to tie the game at 19 a piece at the end of the first quarter. EIU shot 45.5% in the first quarter.
The buckets would not fall for the Panthers in the second quarter as EIU shot 27% from the field only sinking three baskets. The Tigers started to come alive on both ends of the court forcing seven turnovers in the second period and shooting 67% from the field. The Panthers went into halftime trailing 37-26.
Coach Debbie Black rallied the Panthers during halftime as the EIU came out making the first six points of the half to pull within five. Brown sank two of those buckets on her way towards her career high as the Tigers led 37-32 with 7:12 left in the third quarter. Memphis countered though going on a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 47-34 with 3:09 left in the period. Both teams ended the period shooting 29.4% as Memphis maintained a 51-37 lead going into the final period.
Memphis took over in the fourth period shooting 68% from the field in the final quarter of the game. Brown fouled out with 8:20 left in the game leading the team with 20 points and seven rebounds, the only Panther to score in double figures. Freshmen Karina Chandra saw her first minutes on the floor as a Panther as Chandra, Carmen Tellez, and Kayla Steward earned some of their first career points for EIU in the final period. Steward finished the match with five points. Memphis scored 29 points in the fourth quarter to seal the 80-49 victory.
EIU will be back in action Tuesday [Nov. 17] evening as they welcome Loyola-Chicago to Lantz Arena at 6 p.m.