by Don Mooney 2-23-2023
Memphis, TENN—Like a controlled fire, you start with a burn objective, then you extinguish. Similarly the Lady Tigers of Memphis started out on fire. Ignited the contest with an 18-7 lead in the early goings. Controlled the game from start to finish and put the basketball fire out (I mean put the game away), with a convincing 64-53 victory.
The win extends the Lady Tigers win streak to five following tonight’s game, improving Memphis to 17-9 overall and 9-4 in American Athletic Conference play.
The Tigers got out to a quick start, taking a lead as large as 10 in the opening quarter after Destiny Thomas laid in a second chance bucket with just under two minutes left. Memphis would extend their lead out to 18-7 heading into the second quarter following two made free throws from Madison Griggs.
Cincinnati continued to chip away at the Tiger’s lead in the third quarter, getting as close as two before getting big play from Emani Jefferson and Jada Wright to increase the lead.
Wright would get a short turnaround jumper to fall with 2:04 left in the half to give Memphis the 34-24 lead. Cincinnati would hold the Tigers scoreless for the remainder of the quarter, but the Memphis defense would give their offense a break and hold the Bearcats to just three points the rest of the half and take the 34-27 lead into the break.
With less than two minutes left in the third quarter, Wright and Destyne Jackson would give Memphis a bit of breathing room with back-to-back baskets for the 50-44 lead. Cincinnati’s Jillian Hayes would get one last basket before the end of the quarter and Memphis would take the four-point lead into the final 10 minutes.
The Tiger’s scoring would come alive in the fourth quarter, getting a 6-0 run with baskets from Thomas, Shutes and Shelbee Brown. A lay-up with 3:02 left in the game would be the last Cincinnati field goal Memphis would allow as they closed out the game on a 7-2 run to regain their double-digit lead. Shooting 41% from the field the Tigers would put out the controlled basketball fire by by dominating the boards 44-33 to post a 64-53 win.