University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
8-16,2-9American
Charlotte
12-13,6-6American
Crunch Time Tilts Charlotte's Way as Memphis Falls, 61-58
Feb 14, 2026 | Women's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis women's basketball lost a second straight one-possession game on Saturday afternoon at Elma Roane Fieldhouse, falling 61-58 to Charlotte.
Neither team led by more than seven all afternoon, and the Tigers (8-16, 2-9 American) tied the game for a fourth time with 1:06 remaining, but Charlotte (12-13, 6-6 American) took a three-point lead that would hold as Memphis' game-tying attempt came up short. Daejah Richmond led the Tigers with 21 points thanks to 11-of-12 free throw accuracy.
The 49ers opened the game on a 6-2 run before a four-minute scoring drought helped Memphis lead 11-6. Charlotte's defense flipped the momentum, holding the Tigers scoreless for five minutes and grabbing an 18-11 lead before Paris Gaines put back a miss for her first points since suffering a concussion on January 31.
Gaines grabbed a career-high-tying 12 rebounds, 10 of which came in the first half as Memphis kept the conference's best rebounding team at bay. Trailing by two at halftime, they had more shots than the 49ers but shot just 24% from the field. The third quarter saw more points than the first two combined, as the teams shot a collective 55%, led by Richmond's nine points.
Tamya Smith's three-pointer cut the lead to one with four minutes remaining in the third frame, but Charlotte would push the lead back out to six early in the fourth quarter. The Memphis defense went on its most impressive run of the game, forcing seven straight misses and three turnovers across six minutes to tie the game at 53.
The visitors ended their drought and took a 58-54 lead with 1:48 to play, but Memphis found a way to tie it before Charlotte even took back possession. Chaé Harris finished a tough layup through a foul, and her ensuing miss was rebounded by Cori Allen who found Richmond. The junior guard drew a foul and converted two free throws to tie the game, but lead guard Princess Anderson took back the lead with a tough mid-range shot with 45 seconds remaining.
The 49ers got a stop and split a pair at the line, leaving the Tigers a chance to tie the game, but their effort was unsuccessful in a fourth consecutive loss, three of which came by five points or less. Anderson had 23 points but did so on just 9-of-25 shooting. Asianae Nicholson posted a 10-point, 17-rebound double-double; the forward totaled 30 boards in two contests against Memphis.
The Tigers will play Tulane twice in a row this week, the first one being at home on Tuesday, February 17, at 7 p.m.
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.
