Memphis women hand Southern Miss first loss
Ki’ari Cain converted a difficult game-winning layup with two seconds remaining to propel Memphis women’s basketball to a 69-67 win against Southern Miss at Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Sunday.
The Golden Eagles led by four with 1:23 to play, but the Tigers nailed two consecutive 3-pointers to tie the game at 67-67 with 43 seconds left. Domonique Davis, who led Southern Miss with 25 points, was able to get an open midrange look to tie the game as time expired, but couldn’t get it to fall.
For Southern Miss, its undefeated start to the 2023-24 season ends at 7-1. Memphis (4-6) has won two of its last three games. Fifth-year guards Madison Griggs and Kai Carter led Memphis with 14 points each.
It was also Southern Miss coach Joye Lee-mcnelis’ first game back in Memphis since the 2013-14 season. She coached the Tigers for 13 seasons from 1991-2004.
Memphis shoots the lights out early
Memphis jumped out to an early 21-9 lead in a shooting clinic from beyond the arc.
The Tigers made all five of their initial 3-point attempts, two of which came from Cain. Freshman Ally Hollifield made her first 3-pointer of the season after starting 0-for-8.
It wasn’t until late in the first quarter when Memphis missed its first attempt. The Tigers finished the half 1-for-4 from 3-point range and 10-for-26 overall.
Southern Miss claws back in the paint
As Southern Miss looked to stop the bleeding in the first half, it switched to a zone defense that gave the Tigers fits. Memphis’ shooting percentage dropped from 50% to 33.3% in the second quarter, and it allowed the Lady Eagles to score points in transition.
Southern Miss also coupled it with 18 first-half points in the paint with Melyia Grayson’s interior presence.
The Lady Eagles closed the half on a 10-2 run to take their first lead of the game at 34-33 entering halftime.
Memphis overcomes Southern Miss run in the fourth quarter
Memphis took the lead at 35-34 to start the third quarter and didn’t give it back until midway through the fourth quarter.
The Tigers forced seven Southern Miss turnovers in the third quarter, but 10 points from Davis kept Southern Miss within arm’s reach at 53-48 entering the fourth. Then, the Golden Eagles went on a 15-5 run in the fourth quarter to take a 63-58 lead with 2:06 remaining.
Memphis’ Alasia Smith converted a three-point play to cut Southern Miss’ lead to 63-61 with 1:48 to play. Kain and Griggs both swished 3-pointers on Memphis’ next two possession to set up Kain’s winning layup.
What’s next on the schedule for Southern Miss, Memphis?
Southern Miss has a week off before it heads to Fort Myers, Florida, for The Homewood Suites Classic. It’s a twogame set for the Lady Eagles against Cleveland State on Dec. 20 (3:30 p.m.) and Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 21 (6 p.m.). Memphis will host Mississippi State on Dec. 17 (2 p.m., ESPN+).
Sam Sklar is the Southern Miss beat reporter for the Hattiesburg American. Email him at ssklar@hattiesb.gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.