Tigers Send Owls Packing in 79-74 OT Win, Simmons Records 100th Career Win

Tuesday, February 20

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

10-15,6-8AAC

Rice

15-11,9-6AAC

OT 1

Rice

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Tigers Send Owls Packing in 79-74 OT Win, Simmons Records 100th Career Win

Feb 20, 2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis women's basketball team continued its hot streak on Tuesday night, defeating Rice 79-74 in overtime to give head coach Alex Simmons her 100^th career win.

With the victory, Memphis improves to 10-15 overall and 6-8 in American Athletic Conference play.

Following a back-and-forth scoring affair in the first quarter that saw the Tigers take a 15-13 lead, Memphis put together a 9-2 run that gave them a 24-17 lead with just over six minutes left in the half. That lead would grow to as much as 12 before halftime after Shelbee Brown, Madison Griggs, Hannah Riddick and Ki'Ari Cain all scored on consecutive possessions.

Rice cut into the Tiger lead just before the half to make it a 39-31 Memphis advantage.

Turnovers plagued the Tigers in the third quarter as the Owls forced Memphis into seven over the ten-minute frame to cut the deficit to as little as five.

The Tigers got their lead back out to double-digits early in the quarter after Alasia Smith drained a three-pointer from the top of the key and laid in a putback to put Memphis up 44-34 with just under six minutes left in the quarter.

Rice made it a five-point game with lay-ups from Malia Fisher and Emily Klaczek in the final minute of the frame.

A 12-2 run in the fourth quarter by Rice gave them the lead and Memphis faced a deficit for the first time since the 5:18 mark in the opening quarter.

The Tigers and Owls traded baskets throughout the remainder of the quarter with Riddick giving Memphis a two-point lead off a short shot in the paint with 1:17 on the clock. After Dominique Ennis tied the game at 66-66 for Rice, Memphis came down and found Griggs open on the wing for the win, but the shot fell short and sent the game to overtime.

Memphis found itself down three with just over three minutes left in overtime when the duo of Riddick and Smith came storming back on the offensive end.

Following a Riddick free throw, Smith nailed a three-pointer from the corner to give the Tigers a two-point advantage. On the next trip down the floor, Riddick completed an and-one for the two-possession lead. Rice ended up going 3-for-4 from the charity stripe late in the game while Memphis got two makes from Smith to ice the game and give the Tigers the 79-74 win.

Alasia Smith led the team with her eighth double-double of the season of 18 points and 14 rebounds while Hannah Riddick came off the bench for an 18-point performance, shooting 7-for-8 from the field. Madison Griggs and Shelbee Brown also chipped in double-digit scoring with 12 and 11 points, respectively, while Griggs dished out a career-high seven assists.

Memphis is back on the road this weekend when it heads to New Orleans to face-off with Tulane. Tip-off on Saturday 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.