University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
UAB
Tigers Prepare for Road Battles at UAB, Rice
Jan 07, 2025 | Women's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Memphis women's basketball heads south for their first two conference road tests of the season, traveling to UAB for a 6:00 p.m. game on Wednesday, Jan. 8, before heading to Houston to take on Rice on Sunday, Jan. 12, at 2:00 p.m.
The Tigers (3-10, 1-1 AAC) split their opening two conference games, leading wire-to-wire against Wichita State in a 93-83 victory and dropping a heart-breaker to North Texas with 2.6 seconds remaining, 73-71.
Through two games, Memphis currently has three players in the top 10 in scoring (Tilly Boler – third, 22.0 ppg, Alasia Smith – seventh, 18.0 ppg and DeeDee Hagemann – 10th, 16.0 ppg). Smith leads the conference in rebounding (11.0) and blocks (3.0), and Hagemann leads the conference in assists (7.5).
Game One: UAB
While the Tigers are looking to snap a five-game road losing streak dating back to the 2023-24 season, UAB will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak in AAC games with Memphis being among those seven losses. On March 2, 2024, the host Tigers used a 24-12 first quarter to cruise to an 82-61 victory inside Elma Roane Fieldhouse, leveling the season series after losing 63-61 in Birmingham earlier that year.
The two squads have competed against each other as members of Conference USA and now the AAC, where UAB is a second-year member. The Tigers hold the all-time advantage, 34-22, behind wins in eight of the last 10 meetings. The Blazers (9-6, 0-3 AAC) most recently lost to common opponent Wichita State, 82-70, at home.
UAB is led by fifth-year forward Maddie Walsh, who is one of five players in the country to have made 30 threes and block 15 shots this season. Point guard Journey Armstead is averaging 10.3 points to go with 4.9 assists. The Blazers are led by Randy Norton in his 12th year at the helm.
Game Two: Rice
Memphis will take on another second-year AAC program in Rice (8-6, 1-1 AAC) who will take on UTSA while the Tigers battle in Birmingham. The Blue and Gray have won five consecutive meetings against the Owls dating back to 2011 including home and away last season. Alex Simmons picked up her 100th career victory in an overtime thriller at home against Rice, pushing their all-time record to 9-4 behind 18 points and 14 rebounds from Alasia Smith.
Hailey Adams paces the Owls 8.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 blocks. They have two double-figure scorers in Malia Fisher (12.5) and Dominique Ennis (11.6). The 2024 AAC Tournament Champions are coached by Lindsay Edmonds, a fourth-year head coach leading her first program.
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.
