University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
7-9,1-2American
Florida Atlantic
6-9,0-3American
Richmond, Smith Combine for 41 Points in Tigers' Win over Florida Atlantic
Jan 07, 2026 | Women's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis women's basketball picked up its fourth consecutive home victory on Wednesday night, leading for over 31 minutes in a 74-66 win over Florida Atlantic.
Daejah Richmond led the Tigers (7-9, 1-2 American) behind her fourth career double-double, posting 23 points and 11 rebounds. Tamya Smith added 18 points as the duo combined for 16-of-25 shooting from the field.
Memphis won the rebounding battle, 47-41, moving to 5-0 when they do so. Florida Atlantic (6-9, 0-3 American) shot 50% from the field in the first half but couldn't establish a lead due to 12 turnovers. Richmond scored nine of her points in the first quarter, including six of the last seven for the Tigers as Memphis led by one point after one quarter and two points at the break.
The Tiger defense produced one of its best quarters of the season out of halftime, allowing just eight points on 3-of-16 shooting and six turnovers. Despite their lowest-scoring quarter of the night, they were able to build a comfortable lead behind their defense and a pair of buckets from each of Richmond, Smith and Chaé Harris.
Coupled with an 11-2 run to open the fourth quarter, the lead ballooned out to 18 following a Brooklynn Charlo long ball with 6:14 remaining. FAU went on an 8-0 spurt of their own to remain competitive, but Memphis did enough to secure their first conference win of 2025-26.
Erin Rodgers, who has scored just 16 points all season (four games), led the Owls with 17 points. For the eighth time this season, three-plus Memphis players had multiple steals:. Daejah Richmond led the way with her third-ever six-steal performance; Smith and Jah'Naesia Spiers each added two.
Memphis will conclude their week at home with a Saturday afternoon battle with South Florida at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, and tickets can be purchased HERE.
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.
