Lockdown Defense Secures Tiger Win Over Houston

Saturday, January 22

Memphis, Tenn.

1 p.m.

University of Memphis

11-5,2-3AAC

Houston

9-10,2-5AAC

Houston

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Jan 22, 2022 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn.– After two weeks of not playing in Elma Roane Fieldhouse, the Tigers came back to Memphis for an American Athletic Conference match-up with Houston. While the game was close for the entire 40 minutes, big defensive stops down the road would earn Memphis the 57-53 win over the Cougars.

Following today's game, Memphis moves to 11-5 overall and 2-3 in AAC play.

The fast pace was set early by both teams; by the first media timeout, the Tigers and Cougars had already had four lead changes. Houston would extend their lead out to four after two made free throws from Laila Blair, but Emani Jefferson and Alana Davis would turn on the jets and score on three consecutive possessions to tie the game at 18-18.

The Cougars would add in a jump shot at the buzzer to take a 20-18 lead into the second quarter.

Houston and Memphis would trade buckets in the second quarter before the Tiger offense was able to create a little space between the teams.

Back-to-back lay-ups from Davis and a free throw from Jamirah Shutes would give the Tigers their largest lead of the half at 32-26 with 2:28 left in the quarter. The Cougars would add in baskets in the last minute of play before Tyler Frierson closed out the half with a lay-up and put Memphis up 34-30 heading into halftime.

Memphis got their largest lead of the day right out of the break when Madison Griggs drained a three-pointer from the near side and put the Tigers up 37-30.

The Houston offense began to chip away at the Tiger's lead, going on a 9-2 run and regaining the lead with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter.

The Cougars wouldn't go far as the Memphis offense continued to push. Jefferson, Shutes and Griggs would keep the Tigers within reaching distance of Houston and take the 49-45 deficit into the final 10 minutes of play.

It was all Memphis in the fourth quarter as they outscored Houston 12-4 and secured the 57-54 win with two made free throws from Tyler Frierson with 19 seconds left on the clock. Houston would get one last shot off, but a defensive rebound from Emani Jeffersonsealed the deal.

Madison Griggs and Emani Jefferson led the way for the Tigers with 13 points each while Jamirah Shutes and Tyler Frierson both added in eight points. Lanetta Williams and Jefferson were a dominating force on the boards today with eight and seven, respectively, while Jefferson and Shutes combined for nine of the team's 11 assists.

As a team, Memphis 43% from the field and 50% from three-point range

The Tigers will be back in action when they travel to Oklahoma to take on the Golden Hurricane of Tulsa on Wednesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Memphis will be back in Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Saturday, January 29 when they host the Owls of Temple University. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 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.