University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
9-19,3-12American
East Carolina
20-9,12-4American
Tigers Outlast East Carolina in Double Overtime, 88-80
Feb 25, 2026 | Women's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis women's basketball pulled out a double-overtime, 88-80 victory over East Carolina on Wednesday night at Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
The Tigers (9-19, 3-12 American) snapped a seven-game losing streak against the second-ranked team in the conference and remained mathematically alive in the battle for the 10 conference tournament spots. Tamya Smith led the game with 26 points, her fifth 20-point game of the season. The sophomore filled up the stat sheet with six rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a career-high four steals.
Amauri Williams added a career-high 19 points, and Daejah Richmond tied her career high of seven steals to go with 18 points, six assists and five rebounds. It marks the fourth game of six-plus steals this season for the conference's leading pickpocket.
The Tigers led for 36 of the 50 minutes tonight, pushing the lead out as high as 15 late in the third quarter before the Pirates (20-9, 12-4 American) soared back into the game in the final minutes. Anzhane' Hutton tied the game off a put-back layup as the clock expired in regulation after trailing by seven with 1:25 remaining.
It was an evenly contested rock fight early in the game; Taylor Barner's jumper tied the game at 21 before Memphis closed the half on a 13-4 run to lead, 34-25, at the break. After ECU cut it to four, the Tigers rattled off a 10-0 run through Smith and Kennedi Alexander, who logged career-highs in rebounds (13) and minutes (49), sitting for just one minute in the entire game.
Trailing by 13 entering the final frame, the Pirates rattled off an 11-2 run to cut it to four as the Tiger offense went cold. After shooting nearly 50% in the first three quarters, Memphis made just 3-of-10 field goals, turning it over five times and missing five free throws. Richmond split a pair with 14 seconds remaining, and ECU's third attempt of the final possession went down as the clock struck zero.
The Tigers were 0-2 in overtime this season prior to tonight, but despite their late-game faults, they responded in a big way every time it seemed they were on the ropes. After the hosts scored the first four in overtime, ECU would hit two three-pointers to keep things even. Smith and Hutton would trade buckets with just over a minute remaining, but that would be last points either team scored as they headed to double OT tied at 72.
Memphis' knockout blow came in the form of a 7-0 run to open overtime, capped with a step-back three from Richmond as the shot clock expired. Smith and Williams combined for 16 of the Tigers' 22 overtime points.
The 48.5% shooting was Memphis' highest in a conference game this season, led by 7-of-9 accuracy from Williams. Cori Allen logged a career-high seven assists to go with nine points, six rebounds and a steal.
The Tigers will be on national television Sunday afternoon, traveling to the Lone Star State to battle UTSA at 3 p.m. on ESPNU.
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.
