Tigers Upset No. 20 USF 62-57 Sunday Evening

Sunday, February 5

Memphis, Tenn.

5:30 PM

University of Memphis

4-611-12; AAC

No. 20 USF

7-218-4; AAC

USF

Memphis

Photo by: Brandon Dill

Feb 05, 2017 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Creighton led Memphis with a game-high 22 points; Elmore, Barnes combine for 29 more

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis women's basketball team evened up the season series with USF Sunday night as the Tigers knocked off the No. 20-ranked team by a score of 62-57 inside the Elma Roane Fieldhouse on ESPNU. The Tigers jumped out to a 7-0 start over the top-25 Bulls and ultimately led for over 38 minutes en route to the victory.

Memphis improves to 11-12 overall and 4-6 in American Athletic Conference play while handing the Bulls just their second conference loss (only loss was to No. 1 UConn) and fourth overall loss this season.

How It Happened
By knocking down eight of its first 10 shots, Memphis took a quick and early 20-13 lead over the visiting No. 20 Bulls. In that span, Cheyenne Creighton went 4-for-5 from the floor while Taylor Barnes and Brea Elmore combined for three made three-pointers.

The Bulls slowly worked their way back into the game, taking over the lead from Memphis on a Kitija Laksa jumper with 8:01 remaining in the second quarter. Memphis quickly answered with a 7-0 run to regain the lead. Creighton and Elmore were the Tiger scorers during the run.

The 33 points scored in the first half by Memphis was the most the Tigers had scored in a first half since defeating Vanderbilt on December 28, 2016.

USF struck first in the third quarter, cutting the Tiger lead down to one with 8:37 on the clock. A pair of free throws by the Bulls just minutes later granted USF a one-point lead before Memphis answered with another 7-0 run. Taylor Williams' lay-up to start the run proved to be the final lead change of the contest.

The Memphis lead grew to as many as nine with 7:58 remaining before USF had an answer of its own. With 2:11 remaining, the Bulls had cut the Tiger lead back down to one.

A lay-up by Creighton with 1:52 to play put the Tigers back up three over USF. Unable to convert on the next two possessions, USF started fouling the Tigers. Six out of eight free throws made by Breigha Wilder-Cochran and Creighton in the final minute of the game helped the Tigers hang on for the upset victory.

Turning Point
The hot start by Memphis helped set the tone against the No. 20 USF Bulls. Memphis never allowed the Bulls to lead by anymore than one and in the final minute of the contest, the Tigers went 6-for-8 from the line to seal the win. Breigha Wilder-Cochran was responsible for four of those free throws.

Notables

Loysha Morris got her first start this season. Morris started in 28 games as a junior in 2015-16.
Brea Elmore extended her made three-point streak to 15 after hitting two threes in the first half. She finished the game with 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
Taylor Barnes made a career-high three three-pointers for the Tigers.
The 33 points scored in the first half by Memphis was the most scored by the Tigers in the first half since defeating Vanderbilt on December 28.
This season, Memphis is 5-1 in games decided by five or fewer points. In the last two seasons, that record is now 12-1.
Cheyenne Creighton had her fifth 20+-point performance with a floor-high 22. She was also just one rebound shy of a double-double.
USF came into the game averaging 73.0 points per game. The Tigers held USF to its fifth-lowest scoring output this season.
The 11 turnovers by Memphis was the second-lowest total this season and lowest since committing just eight against Temple on New Year's Day.
Of the 62 points scored by the Tigers, 36 of them were in the paint. The Tigers also led USF in points off turnovers, fastbreak points and bench points.
In addition to the low scoring output for USF, Memphis held the Bulls to just 34.9 percent from the floor and 20.8 percent from three. For the year, USF was averaging 43.5 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from three.

Next Up For The Tigers
Memphis returns to action next Thursday for its first meeting against Tulane this season. Tip-off in New Orleans, La. is set for 7 p.m. CT on ESPN3. For more information on the Memphis women's basketball team, follow the Tigers on Twitter at @MemphisWBB or go online to www.gotigersgo.com.