Tigers Split Week Against Cincinnati, at UCF

Wednesday, February 2

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

Cincinnati

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Feb 01, 2022 | Women's Basketball

Game Notes vs. Cincinnati ESPN+ (Cincinnati)ESPN+ (UCF)

MEMPHIS, Tenn.– The Memphis women's basketball team face a tough challenge this week as they host the Bearcats of Cincinnati on Wednesday night before heading south to take on the Knights of UCF.

The Tigers (12-6, 3-4 AAC) got a big AAC win this past Saturday when they handed Temple their second conference loss of the season behind 18 points from Madison Griggs, 12 of which she scored in the final 10 minutes of play, and another 17 points from senior Jamirah Shutes. After finding themselves down by as much as 10 early in the first quarter, the Tigers would rally back to take the lead and, eventually, claim the 64-61 win.

For the season, Shutes leads the team with 12.1 points per game while Emani Jefferson is not far behind her with 9.2 points per contest. She had a big week for the Tigers, scoring a career high 22 points at Tulsa before dishing out four assists against Temple, including the go-ahead and insurance buckets. Her performance would earn her a third AAC Weekly Honor Roll award this season.

As a team, Memphis is shooting 39% from the field and is outrebounding their opponents by almost six rebounds per game.

Cincinnati (10-10, 3-5 AAC) is coming off a 66-60 win over Tulsa that saw the Bearcats erase a 16-point halftime deficit, thanks in part to a 28-point third quarter.

Arame Niang came off the bench for the Bearcats for a game-high 18 points on 9-13 shooting while Jillian Hayes, Caitlyn Wilson and Braylyn Milton all scored in double figures for Cincinnati as well. Hayes recorded quite the stat line with a double-double of 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals in the win.

For the season, Akira Levy leads the team with 12.3 points per game while Hayes is adding in 11.9 and a team-best 7.3 rebounds per game.

As a team, Cincinnati ranks as the top shot blocking team in the American Athletic Conference with 97 total blocked shots and averaging around five blocks per game.

UCF (15-3, 7-1 AAC) is currently on a three-game winning streak that was extended this earlier this week when the Knights claimed a 64-55 victory over Temple on Monday afternoon. After being outscored 24-11 in the opening quarter, the Knights would answer back with a 20-point second quarter while holding the Owls to just six points and take a 31-30 lead at halftime.

After a back-and-forth third quarter, eight made free throws in the final minutes of the game would be UCF's saving grace as they claimed the nine-point win. Masseny Kaba led the Knights with 21 points and 11 rebounds while Destiny Thomas added in 18 points and 11 rebounds with seven of them coming on the offensive end.

For the season, Diamond Battles and Tay Sanders lead the offensive charge for UCF with 13.9 and 11.2 points per game, respectively, while Thomas is clearing just over eight rebounds per game.

The Knights have been a dominant force this season ranking first in the conference in fewest fouls committed, lowest opponent field-goal percentage and points per game.
Both games can be found on ESPN+ (Cincinnati, UCF) and on News Talk 98.9 The Roar of Memphis with Tyler Springs on the call.

Wednesday's game is scheduled for tip-off at 7 p.m. in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse while Saturday's game in Orlando is scheduled to tip-off at 1 p.m. CT.

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.