University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Tigers Begin 2025-26 Season Against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Little Rock
Nov 02, 2025 | Women's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis women's basketball opens the 2025-26 on Monday morning, hosting Arkansas–Pine Bluff at 11:00 a.m. at Elma Roane Fieldhouse. They will cap the work week with a Friday night bout at Little Rock, set for 7:00 p.m.
Ten of the Tigers' 12 rostered players will play their first game in Blue and Gray, including two expected collegiate debuts from freshmen Brooklynn Charlo and Jah'Naesia Spiers.
Guards Jordan Hunter, Cori Allen, Chae Harris and Daejah Richmond joined via transfer portal, as did Paris Gaines and Amauri Williams in the frontcourt. Forwards Tamya Smith and Bailey Gilmore are the two returners from 2024-25, and twins Brooklyn and Kennedi Alexander fill out the wing room.
Game One: Arkansas–Pine Bluff
The annual Education Day, the inaugural game of the season will tip at 11:00 a.m. and welcome over 1,000 Memphis-area students. Memphis will be looking to improve its opening-day record to 25-19, fueled by wins in 11 of their last 14 openers.
The Tigers are 4-1 all-time against Pine Bluff, with the most recent matchup occurring on Dec. 20, 2013. Memphis cruised to a 91-45 victory with four scorers reaching double figures. The one loss came in 2007, a 99-97 overtime game in which the Golden Lions prevailed.
Erika Leak is in her second year at the helm following four years at West Memphis High School. She was named Arkansas Coach of the Year in 2023 after reaching the state finals for the first time in 20 years. The Golden Lions have three Memphis-area natives on their roster: Briah Hampton, Kristyna Boyd and Tyra Taylor.
Game Two: Little Rock
The Tigers' first away game will be at the home of their second consecutive opponent from Arkansas. Last season, the Trojans went 12-8 in Ohio Valley Conference play, falling in the conference quarterfinals to Southern Indiana.
Memphis will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak against Little Rock. The teams battled in 12 consecutive years from 2010-21, with the Trojans winning nine. The most recent game was a 55-50 slugfest that the Trojans won; the last Tiger win came in Little Rock, a 68-50 victory fueled by a 40-19 first half.
Little Rock is coached by Steve Wiedower, who was promoted from assistant coach in 2024 after five-time Sun Belt Coach of the Year Joe Foley retired. Like Memphis, the Trojans also welcome 10 newcomers to the squad, highlighted by Murray State transfer Mya Cotto.
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.
