Tigers Pull Off Miraculous Second Half Comeback to Defeat Houston

Wednesday, February 15

Houston, Texas

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

15-9,7-4AAC

Houston

10-14,7-4AAC

Memphis

Houston

Tigers Pull Off Miraculous Second Half Comeback to Defeat Houston

Feb 15, 2023 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HOUSTON, Texas – The Memphis Tiger women's basketball team pulled off yet another comeback after making a gigantic second half run to take the 45-44 win in the final seconds of the game over Houston.

Following tonight's game, Memphis moves to 15-9 overall and 7-4 in American Athletic Conference play.

A slow start plagued the Tigers in the opening quarter; Memphis would be forced into eight turnovers as Houston took a 13-7 lead into the second quarter.

It was much of the same in second as the Cougars held the Tigers to just seven points once again. After Madison Griggs drained her second three-pointer of the game less than a minute into the quarter, the Tiger offense would be held scoreless for over four minutes before Hannah Riddick grabbed an offensive rebound and laid it in to make it a 21-12 game.

Destiny Thomas would add in a lay-up with just over a minute left in the half to make it a 26-14 deficit for the Tigers heading into the break.

Memphis would come storming back in the third quarter; while their offense finally found some rhythm, the defense locked down Houston and held them scoreless for over seven minutes to cut their deficit to as little as six.

Emani Jefferson would ignite the Tiger offense, scoring five points in the quarter. Riddick would sink one of two free throws at the end of the as they took a 32-26 game into the final 10 minutes of the play.

Memphis would find their form in the fourth quarter going 7-13 from the field and getting two clutch three-pointers from Madison Griggs.

A 7-0 run from the Tigers late in the fourth would tie the game up for the first time since the 2:37 mark in the first quarter after Shutes sank a free throw with just under three minutes to play. Memphis would regain the lead at 45-44 with 22 seconds left when Griggs hit a dagger three-pointer from the top of the key.

The Tiger defense held steady in the remaining seconds of the game that saw Houston miss a three-pointer, a putback lay-up and two free throws in the remaining 10 seconds. Memphis would complete their comeback and take the 45-44 win.

Griggs led all scorers with 12 points, all of which came from behind the arc, while Riddick grabbed 12 rebounds and picked up three steals.

As a team, Memphis shot just 28% from the field and won the battle on the boards 51-36.

The Tigers, who picked up their first win at Houston since 2017, are just the second Division I team this year to win multiple games while shooting less than 30% from the field. This is the first time since the 2015-16 season that the Tigers recorded back-to-back games of 20 or more offensive rebounds and is first time since 2018-19 that they have recorded consecutive games of 50 or more rebounds.

The Tigers will be back in action this Saturday when they face-off with the Golden Hurricane of Tulsa. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. with coverage available on ESPN+ and on 98.9 FM The Roar of Memphis with Tyler Springs on the call.

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.