MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive struggles and a commanding performance from Memphis guard Chaé Harris, the Tigers held off a late surge from Louisiana-Lafayette to secure a 70-64 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball game Tuesday night at FedExForum.

The contest saw both teams commit 21 turnovers, but Memphis used a decisive advantage from beyond the three-point line to build a lead that the Ragin’ Cajuns could not quite overcome, despite a dominant performance in the paint.

Harris, a sophomore from Snellville, Georgia, led all scorers with 21 points, including three shots from long range, to propel the Memphis offense. She added a steal and a block in 26 minutes of action. She was complemented by forward Paris Gaines, who recorded a double-double with 17 points and a game-high offensive presence, consistently capitalizing on second-chance opportunities.

The Tigers set the tone early, exploding for 23 points in the first quarter while holding Louisiana-Lafayette to 19. Harris was instrumental in the opening period, connecting on a pair of three-pointers as Memphis built a lead it would not relinquish. The home team extended its advantage to 41-29 by halftime, thanks in part to an 18-point second quarter.

Louisiana-Lafayette’s offense was carried by the dynamic backcourt duo of Bianca Silva and Imani Daniel. Silva, a guard from Florianopolis, Brazil, filled the stat sheet with 19 points and six assists, orchestrating much of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ offensive action. Daniel, a Gramercy, Louisiana native, contributed 15 points, with the majority of her damage coming from inside the key.

The Ragin’ Cajuns mounted a significant challenge in the final period, outscoring Memphis 22-17. A key factor in their comeback attempt was their overwhelming 48-26 advantage in points in the paint, spearheaded by the interior presence of 6-foot-3 forward Lily Ba. Ba, from Overland Park, Kansas, scored 13 points and registered two blocks, anchoring the defense.

However, Louisiana-Lafayette’s inability to connect from long distance ultimately proved costly. The team shot a mere 1 for 7 from three-point range, a stark contrast to Memphis’s 8-for-27 performance from deep. This outside shooting disparity, combined with a subpar 7-of-11 showing from the free-throw line, left the visiting team consistently playing from behind.

Memphis also showcased a stronger defensive effort at the rim, recording six total blocks compared to Louisiana-Lafayette’s two. Jordan Hunter and Tamya Smith were key contributors to this effort, with Hunter adding six points, three assists, and two blocks, while Smith chipped in eight points and a block.

Despite the loss, Louisiana-Lafayette won several statistical battles. The Ragin’ Cajuns collected 15 offensive rebounds, dished out 11 assists, and notched 11 steals. Yet, their offensive efficiency was hampered by their shooting woes and the high number of turnovers, which Memphis converted into 21 points.

With the win, Memphis improves its season record to 4-3. The Tigers will now travel to Parry Sound, Ontario, for a two-game stint, first facing the Florida Gators on Friday.

Louisiana-Lafayette falls to 0-5 with the defeat. The Ragin’ Cajuns will return home to host High Point on Friday in Avondale, Louisiana, still in search of their first victory of the season. The game was played in front of an announced crowd of 681.