Tigers Come Up Just Short in Rematch with MTSU

Monday, November 20

Nassau, Bahamas

4 p.m.

University of Memphis

2-4,0-0AAC

Middle Tennessee

4-2,0-0CUSA

Middle Tenn.

Memphis

Nov 20, 2023 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

NASSAU, Bahamas. – The University of Memphis women's basketball team played in its final game of the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis tournament Monday night. Looking at a rematch with Middle Tennessee, the Tigers battled until the very end but came up just short and suffered the 52-43 loss.

Following tonight's game, Memphis moves to 2-4 for the season.

In the second meeting with Middle Tennessee, the Blue Raiders opened the game with an 8-0 run. The Tigers first bucket came three minutes into the game when Kai Carter drained a three-pointer from the corner. Memphis rallied though, getting back-to-back baskets from Shelbee Brown to make it a 15-13 game heading into the second quarter.

Jana Sallman went off in the second frame; in her first two possessions in the game, the freshman blocked a shot on the defensive end before coming down and draining a three-pointer from the top of the key to extend the Memphis lead out to 20-15.

While the Tiger's offense went cold midway through the quarter, MTSU capitalized on its offensive end – stringing together a 9-0 run to regain the lead. Sallman broke Memphis' dry spell with a hook-shot in the paint with 1:15 left in the half.

Alasia Smith pulled the Tigers within two heading into the halftime break with a competed and-one just before the buzzer to make it a 29-27 game.

Madison Griggs became the University of Memphis' all-time made three-point field goal record holder for men's and women's basketball with a three from the left wing. The basket also put the Tigers up 30-29 to start the half.

Memphis and MTSU traded baskets throughout the quarter, neither team being able to pull away from the other. The Blue Raiders finished the frame on a 5-0 run to take the 44-43 lead into the final 10 minutes of play.

Griggs did it again to start the fourth quarter; the fifth-year senior drained a three-pointer from the right wing to put Memphis up 46-44. An 8-0 swing from Middle Tennessee put the Blue Raiders back on top by six with 6:20 left in the game.

The Tigers continued to fight back with a layup from Aliyah Green and a jumpers from Brown and Griggs but it would not be enough to catch MTSU as Memphis suffered the 64-57 loss.

Kai Carter and Madison Griggs led the team in scoring with 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Jana Sallman came off the bench for seven points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.

Memphis will take a short break before getting back to action; the Tigers will travel to Marquette University for a 7 p.m. tip-off on Wednesday, Nov. 29. Coverage of the game will be available on FloHoops.

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.