Tigers Fall to Charlotte in Road AAC Matchup

Wednesday, February 14

Charlotte, N.C.

5:30 p.m.

University of Memphis

8-15,4-8AAC

Charlotte

14-11,7-6AAC

Memphis

Charlotte

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Feb 14, 2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The University of Memphis women's basketball team struggled to get into a rhythm tonight when it squared off with American Athletic Conference opponent Charlotte inside Halton Arena in Charlotte, N.C. Despite getting within four of the 49ers in the final quarter, the Tigers dropped the league matchup, 65-56.

Following tonight's game, Memphis moves to 8-15 overall and 4-8 in AAC play.

Ki'Ari Cain opened the game with a long three-pointer from the wing to put Memphis out with the early lead.

Just four minutes later, Kai Carter extended the Tiger lead to 7-3 following a fast-break lay-up and two free throws. Charlotte answered right back with its own 9-0 run to take its first lead of the night.

Another offensive stride from the Tigers came late in the quarter when Cain sank back-to-back shots at the charity stripe before Madison Griggs nailed a three-pointer from the far wing. To complete the sequence, Shelbee Brown laid in a bucket off a steal to make it a 14-11 game with 1:32 left in the frame.

The 49er offense struck again getting five quick points in the final minute to take a 16-14 lead into the second quarter.

As Memphis continued to fight, Charlotte pushed its lead out to as much as nine before the half.

With 3:36 left on the clock, Brown broke the Tiger scoring drought of more than three minutes to make it a 28-21 49er advantage. Both offenses traded baskets to end the half and Memphis faced a 35-26 deficit at the break.

The Tigers opened the third quarter on a tear. After Alasia Smith made three consecutive lay-ups, Griggs drained a three-pointer with time expiring on the shot clock to put Memphis within two.

Charlotte's defense and the Tigers offense continued to battle throughout the quarter with Memphis getting as close as one point with 3:10 left on the clock, but the 49ers closed out the quarter with a 9-0 run to take the 49-39 lead into the final 10 minutes of the game.

While the Tigers made one last push to get in front of Charlotte, eight free throws from the 49ers in the final quarter thwarted Memphis' chances as they suffered the 65-56 loss.

Madison Griggs led the team with 21 points, four steals and three assists while Alasia Smith added in 11 and a team-high nine rebounds.

Memphis is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 17 when they take on the Pirates of East Carolina. Tip-off in Greenville is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT 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.