Tigers Suffer 69-46 Loss to South Florida

Thursday, February 1

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

7-13,3-6AAC

South Florida

13-9,5-4AAC

South Fla.

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Feb 01, 2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis women's basketball team got back to Elma Roane Fieldhouse tonight to take on the Bulls of South Florida. While the Tigers started sharp on the offensive end, the Bulls defense locked down in the second half as Memphis suffered the 69-46 loss.

Following tonight's game, Memphis moves to 7-13 overall and 3-6 in AAC play.

The Tiger's hot shooting continued from their previous two games, going 50% from the field with two turnovers forced in the opening five minutes.

Alasia Smith put Memphis up 7-4 less than three minutes into the game after she drained a deep three-pointer from the corner. South Florida held the Tigers scoreless for nearly three minutes while keeping them from any field goals for five minutes until Kai Carter sank a tough lay-up with 14 seconds left on the clock.

Memphis faced a 19-14 deficit heading into the second quarter.

It took the Tigers almost four minutes into the second quarter to find the bottom of the net; Carter drew a foul and went 1-2 from the charity stripe before sinking a floater in the paint to make it a 24-17 game.

While the Bulls took a lead as much as 13 in the frame, Memphis strung together a 6-2 run that was capped off with back-to-back free throws from Ki'Ari Cain to finish the half and face a 34-25 deficit heading into the break.

The South Florida defense continued to be a pain for the Tigers; the Bulls held Memphis scoreless for the first three minutes of the third quarter.

Cain and Madison Griggs scored back-to-back buckets to cut South Florida's lead to nine with just under four minutes remaining in the frame. While the Bulls continued to push on the offensive end, the Tigers did not bow.

The duo of Carter and Cain kept the Memphis offensive spark alive with jumpers in the lane to face a 50-36 game heading into the final 10 mintues of play.

An offensive cold fourth quarter proved too much for the Tigers as they suffered the 69-46 loss.

Madison Griggs led the team with 13 points while Ki'Ari Cain and Kai Carter both chipped in 10 points each.

Memphis is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 3 when they travel to Dallas, Texas to take on SMU. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 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.