Women's Basketball Falls in AAC Quarterfinals

Saturday, March 9

Uncasville, Conn.

7:00 p.m.

University of Memphis

11-20

Cincinnati

21-9

Memphis

Cincinnati

Photo by: Ben Solomon

Mar 09, 2019 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Jamirah Shutes scores 20 in season finale.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – After keeping close in the first half, the UofM women's basketball team ended its season with a 68-48 loss to Cincinnati in the quarterfinal round of the American Athletic Conference Championship. The Tigers finish with an 11-20 record overall and a 5-11 record in conference. Memphis ends its season with the best run into the AAC Championship since 2015.

Jamirah Shutes was instrumental for the Tigers, scoring 20 points in the loss. Alana Davis added nine points and four rebounds for the Tigers.  

Memphis came out in the opening quarter showing no signs of fatigue having played just 24 hours ago. Shutes in particular came out strong, driving to the cup and fighting in the trenches to earn free throws. The AAC all-freshman honoree finished the opening quarter with 10 of Memphis' 17 points.

Cincinnati, for its part, attacked the offensive glass with a purpose, snaring seven offensive rebounds in the opening frame. Cincinnati and Memphis battled in a close quarter, ending the period 21-17 in favor of Cincinnati.

The second quarter started off where the first quarter ended, with just Shutes scoring for Memphis. On Memphis' opening possession, Shutes drilled her second three-pointer of the half, following it up with a layup on the next possession to give Memphis a one-point lead, 22-21, at the beginning of the quarter. From there, Cincinnati would regain its composure, scoring 17 of the next 23 points in the half.

Rudy White would contribute four points in the quarter, keeping the Tigers within striking distance heading into halftime, trailing 38-28. Memphis would keep key Bearcats in foul trouble, but Cincinnati was able to work around the foul issue. The Tigers shot 10-11 from the free throw line in the first half.

Cincinnati started the second half with a 6-0 run and continued to put pressure on the Memphis defense. On the other side, after shooting 11 free throws in the first half, Memphis only shot two in the third quarter. With limited offense, the Tigers struggled to slow down the Bearcats, getting outscored 17-6.

Both offenses struggled getting off the ground in the fourth quarter, as the teams combined for 12 points through the media timeout. Cincinnati went on to hold Memphis at arm's length to close it out, 68-48.

Notables