HAMMOND, La. (Interstat) — Daejah Richmond scored 26 points, including the go-ahead free throws with two seconds remaining, to lift the Memphis women’s basketball team to a 70-66 road victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday at University Center.

In a game defined by gritty defense and missed opportunities, the Tigers snapped a two-game skid by overcoming a 12-point halftime deficit. Memphis improved to 5-7 overall, while Southeastern Louisiana fell to 2-7.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the final minute. Trailing 66-65 after Southeastern Louisiana’s Lihi Azouri sank a 3-pointer with 35 seconds left, Memphis put the ball in the hands of Richmond. The sophomore guard from Cordova, Tennessee, delivered a clutch pull-up jumper to put the Tigers ahead 67-66 with 10 seconds on the clock.

On the ensuing possession, Memphis’s defense forced a difficult 3-point attempt from Southeastern Louisiana’s Aliyah Collins that missed. Richmond secured the defensive rebound and was immediately fouled by Natalie Huff with two seconds left. After missing the first attempt, Richmond calmly sank the second free throw to extend the lead to two points.

Southeastern Louisiana called a timeout to advance the ball, but a full-court inbounds pass was deflected and Memphis’s Jordan Hunter was fouled. Hunter made both free throws with a tenth of a second left to seal the victory.

The game was a tale of two halves. Southeastern Louisiana, led by Azouri’s 22 points and seven rebounds, controlled the first 20 minutes. The Lions shot effectively from deep, hitting 6 of 14 3-pointers before halftime, and took advantage of 10 Memphis turnovers to build a 39-27 lead at the break. Memphis managed just nine points in the second quarter, shooting 28 percent from the field in the half.

The Tigers roared back in the third quarter, outscoring the Lions 25-12. A stifling defensive effort held Southeastern Louisiana to 5-of-20 shooting in the period. Richmond ignited the comeback, scoring 11 points in the quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers. Her second triple tied the game at 45 with 4:17 left in the third, capping an 18-6 Memphis run.

Memphis finally took its first lead since the opening minutes when Tamya Smith converted a layup off a Cori Allen assist with 6:06 remaining in the fourth quarter, making it 55-53. Smith finished with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Tigers dominated the interior, outscoring the Lions 40-20 in the paint and grabbing 17 offensive rebounds that led to 18 second-chance points. Memphis’s work on the glass helped offset a poor shooting afternoon overall; the team shot just 40.6 percent from the field and a dismal 17.6 percent from 3-point range. They also struggled at the free-throw line, making only 11 of 20 attempts.

Southeastern Louisiana was led by Azouri, a guard from Herzelia, Israel, who added three assists to her 22 points. Natalie Huff contributed 14 points and four assists for the Lions, while Aliyah Collins chipped in 13 points. The Lions were more efficient from distance, making 8 of 25 3-pointers, and from the foul line, hitting 14 of 19. However, they were hampered by 11 turnovers and were out-rebounded 49-35.

Richmond’s 26-point performance marked a significant resurgence for the guard, who had been held to a combined 12 points in Memphis’s previous two losses. She added seven rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes. Key support came from Smith’s double-double and Allen, who hauled in nine rebounds and dished four assists.

The win provides a positive note for Memphis as it heads into a break before hosting Rust on Dec. 28. Southeastern Louisiana faces a tough road test next, traveling to face Texas on the same date. An estimated 321 fans attended the non-conference matchup at University Center.