Slow Start Proves Costly in Tigers Loss to South Florida

Wednesday, January 11

Tampa, Fla.

6 p.m.

University of Memphis

9-8,1-3AAC

South Florida

15-4,4-0AAC

Memphis

South Fla.

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Slow Start Proves Costly in Tigers Loss to South Florida

Jan 11, 2023 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – Early scoring woes proved to be the Tigers downfall tonight as they suffered the 58-45 loss to South Florida.

Following tonight's game, Memphis moves to 9-8 overall and 1-3 in American Athletic Conference play.

A slow start plagued the Tigers to open the game, being held scoreless for nearly five minutes until Hannah Riddick scored back-to-back buckets to make it a 6-4 USF lead.

But the Bulls offense could continue to dominate, going to a 7-0 run after baskets from Sammie Puisis and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu. USF's run would be broken after Lanetta Williams and Tanyuel Welch added in jump shots from the free throw line. The Tigers would face the 17-8 deficit heading into the second quarter.

While the Tigers struggled offensively in the first quarter, Memphis would explode in the second.

Jamirah Shutes would open with seven consecutive points while the duo of Riddick and Emani Jefferson picked up back-to-back steals to lay them in easily and cut the Tigers deficit to just four. Riddick would add in two free throws while Destiny Thomas laid in a put-back bucket to cut even further into the Bulls lead, making it a 28-26 game with 1:16 remaining in the half.

South Florida would chip in one last made free throw before the half to take a 29-26 lead going into the break.

Memphis' offensive problems came back in the third quarter; the Tigers were held to just eight points in the third and held scoreless for the final three and a half minutes to face a 47-34 deficit heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.

A hot start to the fourth quarter would put get the Tigers right back in reaching distance. After a Thomas lay-up extended Memphis' scoring streak to seven, the Tiger defense would force the Bull's third straight turnover and make it a 50-41 game with just under five minutes left in the game.

While the Tigers would continue to fight, but the USF lead would prove too much as Memphis suffered the 58-45 loss.

Hannah Riddick and Emani Jefferson led the team with 10 points, each, while the duo combined for 10 rebounds.

While Memphis shot just 33% from the field, as a team, the Tigers held South Florida below their scoring average, just the fourth team to do that this year, while they also held USF's top three scorers to below their season average. The Memphis defense would also force USF into 18 turnovers while picking nine steals.

The Tigers continue their road trip this Saturday afternoon when they take on the Bearcats of Cincinnati. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT with coverage available on ESPN+ and on 98.9 FM The Roar of Memphis with Tyler Springs on the call.

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.