University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
East Carolina
Tigers Start Postseason with Rematch Against East Carolina
Mar 06, 2025 | Women's Basketball
FORT WORTH, Texas – Memphis women's basketball will begin their postseason as the No. 10 seed in the second round of the American Athletic Conference tournament, taking on seventh-seeded East Carolina on Sunday, March 9, at 6:00 p.m.
The Tigers (7-22, 5-13 AAC) will look to snap a four-game losing streak and reach their fifth quarterfinal in seven years. It is the fourth game in the tournament and third of the day, with the winner to take on No. 2 seed North Texas on Monday at 6:00 p.m.
Tilly Boler finished the regular season ranked third in the conference in points per game (17.0) behind 10 games with 20 points, and Alasia Smith finished top four in rebounds (8.9), steals (2.3) and blocks (1.3). Memphis' 69.7 points per contest was second in the conference, trailing only North Texas.
After starting the conference season 3-6, the Pirates (16-14, 8-10 AAC) closed with five wins in eight games before losing the finale at UTSA. In the first matchup this season on February 1, Memphis used a 10-0 third quarter run to win the frame, 21-11, and pull away to take a 75-69 victory. Tanyuel Welch had 21 points and nine rebounds, and Smith had a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double.
This marks the fourth consecutive postseason tournament in which the Tigers will face East Carolina. Memphis was eliminated by the Pirates in each of the last two AAC Tournaments – once in the second round and once in the semifinals – and Memphis beat East Carolina in the first round of the 2021 tournament. The all-time series win tally is 23 to 22 in favor of East Carolina.
Kim McNeill is in her sixth season in charge of the Pirates. They have reached the AAC Tournament final in back-to-back seasons, having won it in 2022-23 which earned McNeill the honor of Coach of the Year in the conference.
The Pirates have a very distinct style of play: they are 33rd of 353 Division-I teams in three-pointers per game (13.9) and are 21st in the nation in offensive rebounds (14.8). They lead the conference and are 44th overall in turnovers forced (19.3) but are last in offensive turnovers (19.1). Junior forward Amiya Joiner is the engine with 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and over a steal and block each per game.
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