Tigers Hold On For First AAC Win of Season

Sunday, January 14

Philadelphia, Penn.

1 p.m.

University of Memphis

5-11,1-4AAC

Temple

9-8,3-2AAC

Memphis

Temple

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Jan 14, 2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. – The University of Memphis women's basketball picked up its first American Athletic Conference win of the season while snapping a five-game losing skid in route to the 59-57 win over Temple University Sunday afternoon.

Following tonight's game, Memphis moves to 5-11 overall and 1-4 in AAC play.

Memphis started the game out looking sharp; Shelbee Brown put the Tigers up 4-0 with two quick buckets in the open minute of the quarter before Temple came back with a 9-0 run to take the lead.

The group of Ki'Ari Cain, Madison Griggs, Hannah Riddick and Kai Carter put the Tigers back on top with a 10-0 run to end the opening frame to take the 14-9 lead into the second quarter.

A defensive battle continued into the second quarter between the Tigers and Owls; Memphis held Temple to just seven points and forced them into seven turnovers in the 10-minute period. While the Tiger defense held strong, they struggled to get their offense going.

After Destyne Jackson sank a free throw just 75 seconds into the quarter, Brown, Griggs and Aliyah Green found the bottom of the net to push the Tiger lead out to 23-16 heading into halftime.

After back-to-back baskets from Brown and Alasia Smith gave the Tigers their largest lead of the night at 27-16, Temple came storming back. The duo of Aleah Nelson and Kendall Currance combined for three long-range shots to make it a two-point lead for Memphis with 3:51 remaining in the quarter.

The Tigers did not back down, getting free throw from Griggs and Smith while forcing the Owls into four turnovers to take the 40-36 lead into the final 10 minutes of the game.

It came down to the final seconds of the game to decide a winner; after Memphis and Temple went back-and-forth with scoring, late free throws from Griggs put the Tigers on top to take the exciting 59-57 win.

Alasia Smith led the team with her fifth double-double of the year and 33^rd of her career at 18 points and 10 rebounds while Madison Griggs and Shelbee Brown added in 14 and 10 points, respectively.

As a team, Memphis forced Temple into 22 turnovers while converting 19 points off said turnovers.

The Tigers are back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 17 when they travel to Wichita State. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. with coverage available on ESPN+.

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.