MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Three student-athletes scored in double figures as Jackson State nearly defeated Memphis 68-67 in the regular-season opener Wednesday evening,

JSU (0-1) outscored Memphis (1-0) 42-28 in the second half and a Sumer Williams jumper at 3:08 in the fourth quarter provided the Blue and White with a 62-58 lead.

From there, UM outscored JSU 10-5 to close out the game.

Christina Ellis scored a team-high 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting from the field. Ellis also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and handed out five assists.

Marneisha Hamner tallied 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the floor. Antionette Womack netted 10 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the floor.

For the game, JSU shot 40 percent (28-of-70) from the field. JSU dominated in the paint and tallied 46 points. The Blue and White outrebounded UM 46-42.

JSU forced UM into 24 turnovers, which was turned into 24 points.

The Blue and White return to action Saturday at Texas-Arlington.