by Don Mooney
photo by Toni Washington
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis women’s basketball team used a strong defensive performance and a balanced offensive attack to secure a 62-48 victory over Little Rock Monday night inside Elma Roane Fieldhouse. The win pushed the Tigers to 3-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
With the victory, Memphis remained unbeaten under first-year head coach Hana Haden, who became the first Memphis women’s basketball head coach to open a season with three consecutive wins since the 2004-05 campaign.
Junior forward Tamya Smith led the Tigers offensively off the bench with a game-high 16 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting from the field, adding a season-high six rebounds. Tierney Kelsey also provided a spark off the bench, contributing 14 points, including a three-pointer, while connecting on 5-of-6 attempts from the free-throw line.
photo by Toni Washington
Ainaya Williams anchored the Memphis defense, recording a season-high nine points and becoming the first Tiger this season to reach double-digit rebounds with 10. Williams also swatted a game-high five shots, the most by a Memphis player since Alasia Smith against North Texas on Jan. 4, 2025, while adding her first steal of the season.
Senior guard Daejah Richmond rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points, six rebounds, a season-high five assists and four steals. Fellow senior Anjanae Richardson chipped in six points, five rebounds and a season-high three assists. Memphis (3-0) got off to a strong start defensively, holding Little Rock (1-2) to just 20 percent shooting from the field in the opening quarter. The Tigers used a nine-point scoring run to establish control, carrying a 16-10 advantage into the second period.
photo by Toni Washington
Both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the second quarter, combining for just 14 points. Memphis connected on only 2-of-10 attempts from the floor but continued to stifle the Trojans defensively, limiting the visitors to just five points on 2-of-16 shooting. The Tigers entered the halftime break with a 25-15 advantage.
Memphis came out of the locker room firing, putting together its most productive offensive quarter of the night. The Tigers shot 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from the field and connected on two three-pointers in the third quarter, outscoring Little Rock 20-15 to extend their lead to 45-30 heading into the final 10 minutes.
The Tigers continued to control the contest in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to as many as 16 points. Despite Little Rock finding some offensive momentum down the stretch, Memphis maintained its double-digit advantage to close out the 62-48 victory. Memphis finished the night shooting 45.5 percent (20-of-44) from the field while holding Little Rock to just 28.1 percent (18-of-64). The Tigers dominated the interior, outscoring the Trojans 36-22 in the paint while holding a 30-4 advantage in bench points.