Tigers Travel to South Florida, Cincinnati in AAC Road Trip

Wednesday, January 11

Tampa, Fla.

6 p.m.

University of Memphis

South Florida

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Tigers Travel to South Florida, Cincinnati in AAC Road Trip

Jan 10, 2023 | Women's Basketball

Game Notes vs. South Florida Game Notes vs. Cincinnati

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After picking up their first American Athletic Conference win of the season, the Memphis Tiger women's basketball team will pack their bags for a five-day trip to South Florida on Wednesday night and Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon.

Memphis (9-7, 1-2 AAC) dominated in their 80-51 win over SMU last Friday night where Emani Jefferson, Tanuyel Welch and Jamirah Shutes all scored in double figures while the team held the Mustangs to just 36% shooting from the field and outrebounded them 42-28.

Along with the trio of scoring threats, Hannah Riddick helped to kick-start the Tigers in the beginning of the game, scoring nine points and grabbing nine rebounds in her first nine minutes of action. Along with Riddick, Destiny Thomas made her first start in a Tiger uniform going a perfect 4-4 from the field and grabbing six rebounds.

For the season, Shutes and Madison Griggs lead the team in scoring with 14.4 and 12.9 points per game, respectively, while Riddick and Jefferson have been cleaning the boards for Memphis with 174 combined rebounds.

South Florida (14-4, 3-0 AAC) extended their win streak to four after taking down Wichita State last Friday night. Following a third quarter where the Bulls outscored the Shockers 25-6, USF would cruise to a 69-46 win behind a 26-point performance from Sammie Puisis.

For the season, Puisis, Elena Tsineke and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu lead the team in scoring with a combined 50.4 points per game while Fankam Mendjiadeu is averaging a double-double with 11.8 rebounds.

The Tigers and Bulls met just once last season in the Quarterfinal Round of the AAC Tournament. Despite Memphis hanging around with USF for 30 minutes, late free throws from USF would down the Tigers and end their season after the 63-53 loss. Shutes and Griggs led the team with a combined 30 points while Williams came off the bench for a team-best seven rebounds.

Cincinnati (7-8, 0-2 AAC) is still in search of their first AAC win of the season after falling to Wichita State and Temple in their first two games.

After being down by as much as 13 to the Owls in the second half, Cincinnati would get within three of Temple early in the fourth quarter after a layup from Jillian Hayes. But, the Temple offense would continue to push late in the quarter and would get two made free throws with four seconds left in the game to secure the 77-73 win over the Bearcats.

For the season, Hayes and Mya Jackson lead the team with 14.2 and 12.5 points, respectively, while Hayes is also leading the team with just over eight rebounds per game.

The Tigers and Bearcats met twice last season with each team picking up a win during the matchups. Most recently, Cincinnati took the 71-58 win over Memphis last February after the Tigers were held to just 28% shooting from the field.

Cincinnati will play at SMU on Tuesday night before hosting Memphis on Saturday afternoon.

Wednesday night's game in Tampa is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT tip-off while Saturday's game at Cincinnati will begin at 1 p.m. CT. Coverage of both games can be found on ESPN+ and on-air with Tyler Springs on 98.1 FM The Max (Wednesday) and 98.9 FM The Roar of Memphis (Saturday).

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.