Tigers Hold Off Knights in Overtime Thriller

Saturday, February 11

Memphis, Tenn.

2 p.m.

University of Memphis

14-9,6-4AAC

UCF

11-11,2-8AAC

OT 1

UCF

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Feb 11, 2023 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Looking to pick up another AAC win, the Tigers welcomed the Knights from UCF to the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. A defensive battle between the teams would send the game to overtime where Memphis would come away with the 50-48 win.

Following today's game, Memphis moves to 14-9 overall and 6-4 in American Athletic Conference play.

The Tigers got out to a slow start, finding themselves down 15-7 after the opening quarter. Destiny Thomas, Jamirah Shutes and Madison Griggs all picked up buckets in the first quarter while the team forced the Knights into three turnovers in the first 10 minutes of play.

Memphis' offense would ignite in the second quarter, cutting their lead to single digits and taking the lead back with just over three minutes left in the half. A Tiger 10-0 run that was capped off with three consecutive free throws from Makaiya Brooks would put Memphis up 20-19.

After Jefferson sank two free throws, Shutes would get a transition lay-up at the buzzer to give the Tigers the 24-19 lead.

UCF would make a comeback in the third quarter, holding the Tigers to just nine points and taking a 34-33 Knights advantage into the fourth quarter.

A low-scoring affair between the Knights and Tigers would bring it down to the wire; Memphis and UCF would trade buckets to open the quarter before facing a 41-41 tie with 6:05 left. Both teams would go scoreless until the 1:21 mark when the Knights got a lay-up from Anzhane' Hutton. Shutes would tie the game back up at 43 all after a pair of free throws with just over 60 seconds left in the quarter. Both team's defense would shut the other's offense down and take the 43-43 tie into overtime.

It would be the Memphis offense that pulled ahead in OT. Jefferson scored five of her game-high 19 points in the final five minutes to give the Tigers the 50-48 win.

Emani Jefferson led all scorers today with 19 points, 11 of which came from the free throw line, while Jamirah Shutes added in 12. Jefferson would pick up her first career double-double while leading the team with 11 rebounds. Destiny Thomas would grab 10 boards as well with nine of them coming on the offensive end.

As a team, Memphis grabbed 58 rebounds today, the second time the Tigers have done so in the Katrina Merriweather era. They also forced UCF into 27 turnovers while holding them to under 30% shooting.

Memphis will hit the road next week when they take on Houston and Tulsa on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively. Coverage of both games can be found 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.