Shutes, Davis lead Tigers in loss to Houston

Saturday, February 13

Houston, TX

2 PM

University of Memphis

4-10,2-7AAC

Houston

12-5,9-4AAC

Memphis

Houston

Photo by: University of Houston

Feb 13, 2021 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HOUSTON, Texas – Junior guard Jamirah Shutes found her way into double-figures for the first time this season on Saturday, but it was not enough for the Memphis Tigers, who fell 71-50 on the road against the Houston Cougars. Memphis (4-10, 2-7 AAC) suffered their third loss in a span of eight days, while Houston (12-5, 9-4 AAC) won their fourth in a row.

Shutes, a junior guard from Brownsville, Tenn., notched her first double-figure scoring game since returning from a major knee injury that had sidelined her for more than a calendar year. Her 12 points came on five field goals, including a pair of three-pointers. Senior forward Alana Davis led all Tigers with 13 points, hitting her third career trey during the game.

Houston's Tatyana Hill and Miya Crump led all scorers with 15 points apiece, helping the Cougars sweep the season series.

How It Happened
The Tigers opened the scoring on a 7-0 run with a layup from Davis, a triple from Madison Griggs, and drive to the basket from Aerial Wilson over the game's first three minutes. Memphis stayed in front through much of the first quarter, holding a 15-11 edge after another Davis layup with just under three minutes remaining. Davis scored seven of the Tigers' first 15 points and added a pair of rebounds in the opening quarter.

Houston's defensive pressure created opportunities for the home side, as the Cougars closed the quarter with five steals in the last three minutes of the period. Houston finished the first frame with a 14-3 run to take a seven-point lead at the end of the quarter, and they held Memphis without a score for the first six minutes of the second quarter, extending their edge to 40-22 by halftime.

While the Tigers struggled to trim the Houston lead in the second half, they finished strong, outshooting the Cougars in the fourth quarter while winning the period 17-13. Houston's edge on rebounds (39-37) and forced turnovers (22-14) ultimately proved too much to overcome.

Notes from Saturday's Game
*Davis finished the first half with seven points on 3-of-3 shooting, including a first-quarter triple that was only the second of her career. She's now 2-for-8 from long range in her career, and 2-of-3 this year.

*Shutes' 12-point effort was her first time in double figures since Jan. 28, 2020, when she poured in a career-high 32 in a loss to ECU. She went 4-of-7 from the field after halftime, leading all Tigers after the break with nine points and two assists.

Up Next
Memphis will turn around quickly, playing host to the Wichita State Shockers (4-8, 1-6 AAC) on Monday at Roane Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 6:30pm CT on ESPN+ and the Memphis Tiger Network (GoTigersGo.com/Listen). For more information on the Memphis women's basketball team, follow the Tigers on social media at @MemphisWBB.