by Don Mooney 2-10-2024
Excited Lady Tigers bench erupts as horn signals end of hard fought 80-79 overtime win over Tulane. photo by Don Mooney
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A memorable evening of hoops entertainment at Elma Roane Fieldhouse as University of Memphis women’s basketball team gave fans their money worth as they grinded out a victory over Tulane 80-79 Saturday. The victory moves Memphis to 8-14 overall and 4-7 in AAC play.
Tulane took a 24-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Tigers came back with authority stringing together a 12-4 run to cut their deficit to 31-27 with just under five minutes left in the first half. While Tulane pushed its advantage back out to eight with less than a minute left on the clock. Two free throws from Hannah Riddick and a buzzer-beater lay-up from Raven Sims made it a 41-37 game heading into halftime.
The Tigers and Green Wave opened the third quarter trading baskets before Memphis got consecutive scoring from Sims, Madison Griggs and Alasia Smith to take their first lead of the day at 49-47. Tulane would, once again, have an answer to Memphis’ run with back-to-back lay-ups from Kyren Whittington in the final minute to take a one-point lead.
Ki’Ari Caintook a page out of Sims book and laid in a short jumper in the lane just as time expired to put the Tigers up 56-55 heading into the final 10 minutes of regulation.
Memphis extended its lead out to as much as 10 to open the fourth quarter with the trio of Griggs, Riddick and Sims all scoring. A 13-3 run from Tulane late in the frame put them right back in the game.
Following a free throw from Tulane’s Joy Madison-Key out the Green Wave up two with 23 seconds left in regulation, Kai Carter came in clutch with a turnaround jump shot deep in the paint to tie the game at 74-74. The Memphis defense held steady as Tulane was unable to get a shot off in time to send the game to overtime.
Tulane took a quick four-point lead in overtime after Whittington drained a three-pointer in the corner.Memphis answered right back with Griggs drilling her sixth long-distance shot of the day before Smith got the game-winning lay-up with 25 seconds on the clock. The Tigers held on for the 80-79 win.
Madison Griggs led the team with 20 points while draining six three-pointers. Hannah Riddick and Shelbee Brown both came off the bench for 13 and 11 points, respectively, with Brown recording a career-high seven steals.
Alasia Smith was all over the boards tonight, racking up 11 rebounds with 10 of them coming on the offensive end. As a team, Memphis forced Tulane into 27 turnovers and scored 40 of their 80 points in the paint.
The Tigers will hit the road next week to take on Charlotte and East Carolina on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively. Wednesday’s tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT while Saturday’s game will begin at 1 p.m. CT. Coverage for both games can be found on ESPN+.