Jan. 14, 2006
Leonard Notches Fourth 20+ Point Game
Freshman Paris Leonard, the first freshman in Memphis history since Tamika Whitmore in 1995-96. Whitmore is still playing in the WNBA after being drafted by the New York Liberty in the third round in 1999. Leonard has now passed the 200-career point mark through 14 collegiate games.
Leonard has also had back-to-back seven rebound outings heading into Sunday's Tulsa game.
Howard Averages 8.5 Rebounds Per Game Over Last Four Games
Junior Ashley Howard has averaged 8.5 rebounds per game over the last four games, including nine at SMU. Howard played a career-high 36 minutes in the loss at SMU, 18 in each half.
Necaise Carrying 20-for-20 Mark From Free-Throw Line Into Sunday's Game
Junior guard Devin Necaise went without a free-throw attempt in Friday's game at SMU (Memphis attempted just five free-throws for the entire SMU game), but has hit 20 consecutive free-throws heading into the Tulsa game.
Gorman Part of Starting Line-Up for Past 11 Games
Sophomore guard Gresh Gorman has been a part of the Lady Tiger starting line-up for the past 11 games. Gorman battles exercise-related asthma and uses a breathing machine and the Lady Tiger coaching staff has to carefully monitor her minutes, something made a little more difficult with a bench of three players.
Butler Battling Scoring Slump
After scoring in double-digit points in seven of 10 games, senior point guard Tamika Butler has struggled to drop it in the cylinder, missing double-digit scoring points in each of the last three games, the Lady Tigers' entire C-USA schedule to date.
Gooch Stepping Up in the Offense
After Head Coach Blair Savage challenged her post players to add a combined 12 points a night to supplement the scoring from Leonard, Butler and Necaise, junior center Megan Gooch has drastically stepped into the offense. After averaging just 3.9 points per game through the first 11 games, Gooch has averaged 9.0 points a game in the last two games. She posted her first collegiate double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds against East Carolina last weekend.
Bradley Bringing Defense Off Bench
Senior center Jamie Bradley has given Memphis some valuable minutes, especially since the C-USA opener. The senior center, who averaged 2.6 rebounds per game through the first part of the season, has averaged 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in the last three games.
