Memphis outlasts Temple in five-overtime battle, 100-97, ties record for most overtimes
.@MemphisWBKB outlasts Temple in five OTs behind 35 and 10 from Brianna Wright! #GoTigersGo https://t.co/Rb2QTaxqs7 pic.twitter.com/Niwiet61fd
— Tigers Game Day (@TigersMedia) February 19, 2016
Memphis (16-10, 10-5 AAC) prevailed 100-97 against visiting Temple (17-9, 11-4) in a game that lasted five overtimes Thursday night. It was only the second time in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history that a matchup lasted that long. The last five-overtime game was Drexel (98) vs. Northeastern (90) on Feb. 22, 2007.
“I don’t even know what time it is, all I know it was a really long game,” exclaimed Memphis head coach Melissa McFerrin in her interview immediately after the contest. She said her team “had to find a different gear and a different level of toughness” to beat Temple.
There were 22 ties and 17 lead changes in the game. Senior forward Brianna Wright led Memphis with a career-high 35 points and 10 rebounds. Mooriah Rowser was also in double figures with 21 points. Cheyenne Creighton added 10 points and six rebounds.
“I’m really proud of our kids,” said McFerrin. “There were plenty of times for us to give up for numerous reasons, but our kids did not give in. We made mistakes and played ugly at times, but our kids delivered. What a great night for the Tigers.”
The victory was the fourth-straight for Memphis. The Tigers have won seven of their last eight games, with the lone setback at top-ranked Connecticut on Jan. 30.
Feyonda Fitzgerald paced Temple with 26 points. Donnaizha Fountain (17 points-11 rebounds) and Tanaya Atkinson (15 points-20 rebounds) both recorded double-doubles.
The Memphis coaching staff knew the game was going to be a challenge. The Owls are third in the American Athletic Conference standings and the Tigers are in fourth place.
“Thursday’s game against Temple is a challenge,” said Tigers associate head coach Darryl Brown. They got us good up in Philadelphia earlier this season, and being a Philadelphia native, the loss bothered me as well as the rest of our team. Temple is a good team. They are on a roll, and they want to continue to do what they’re doing. It’s our job to play the best we can and get the win.”
Before today, Temple had won all five meetings between the teams.
Memphis heads on the road to face No. 19 South Florida on Sun. Feb. 21 in Tampa. The Bulls are in second place in the AAC. Temple heads home to face Tulane on Tues. Feb. 23.
