Tigers Down Little Rock 62-48, Start Season 3-0 for First Time Since 2004-05

Monday, November 9

Memphis, Tenn.

6 p.m.

University of Memphis

3-0,0-0American

Little Rock

1-2,0-0UAC

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Little Rock	10	5	15	18	48
Memphis	16	9	20	17	62

Nov 09, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis women's basketball team used a strong defensive performance and a balanced offensive attack to secure a 62-48 victory over Little Rock Monday night inside Elma Roane Fieldhouse. The win pushed the Tigers to 3-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

With the victory, Memphis remained unbeaten under first-year head coach Hana Haden, who became the first Memphis women's basketball head coach to open a season with three consecutive wins since the 2004-05 campaign.

Junior forward Tamya Smith led the Tigers offensively off the bench with a game-high 16 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting from the field, adding a season-high six rebounds. Tierney Kelsey also provided a spark off the bench, contributing 14 points, including a three-pointer, while connecting on 5-of-6 attempts from the free-throw line.

Ainaya Williams anchored the Memphis defense, recording a season-high nine points and becoming the first Tiger this season to reach double-digit rebounds with 10. Williams also swatted a game-high five shots, the most by a Memphis player since Alasia Smith against North Texas on Jan. 4, 2025, while adding her first steal of the season.

Senior guard Daejah Richmond rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points, six rebounds, a season-high five assists and four steals. Fellow senior Anjanae Richardson chipped in six points, five rebounds and a season-high three assists.

Memphis (3-0) got off to a strong start defensively, holding Little Rock (1-2) to just 20 percent shooting from the field in the opening quarter. The Tigers used a nine-point scoring run to establish control, carrying a 16-10 advantage into the second period.

Both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the second quarter, combining for just 14 points. Memphis connected on only 2-of-10 attempts from the floor but continued to stifle the Trojans defensively, limiting the visitors to just five points on 2-of-16 shooting. The Tigers entered the halftime break with a 25-15 advantage.

Memphis came out of the locker room firing, putting together its most productive offensive quarter of the night. The Tigers shot 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from the field and connected on two three-pointers in the third quarter, outscoring Little Rock 20-15 to extend their lead to 45-30 heading into the final 10 minutes.

The Tigers continued to control the contest in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to as many as 16 points. Despite Little Rock finding some offensive momentum down the stretch, Memphis maintained its double-digit advantage to close out the 62-48 victory.

Memphis finished the night shooting 45.5 percent (20-of-44) from the field while holding Little Rock to just 28.1 percent (18-of-64). The Tigers dominated the interior, outscoring the Trojans 36-22 in the paint while holding a 30-4 advantage in bench points.

NOTABLES

Memphis improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
Head coach Hana Haden earned her third consecutive victory to begin her tenure with the Tigers.
Tamya Smith led all scorers with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, adding a season-high six rebounds in just over 17 minutes of action.
Ainaya Williams recorded nine points, a season-high 10 rebounds and five blocks, becoming the first Tiger to collect double-digit rebounds in a game this season.
Williams' five blocks were the most by a Memphis player since Alasia Smith against North Texas on Jan. 4, 2025. Williams also registered her first steal of the season.
Tierney Kelsey provided 14 points off the bench, shooting 4-of-12 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Daejah Richmond finished with 10 points, six rebounds, a season-high five assists and four steals.
Anjanae Richardson dished out a season-high three assists while adding six points and five rebounds.
Memphis held Little Rock to just five second-quarter points on 2-of-16 shooting (12.5 percent).
The Tigers outscored the Trojans 20-15 in the third quarter, shooting 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from the floor and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.
Memphis held Little Rock to 28.1 percent shooting from the field and just 12.5 percent (2-of-16) from three-point range.
The Tigers held a 36-22 advantage in points in the paint and outscored Little Rock 30-4 in bench points.
Memphis connected on 20-of-26 free-throw attempts (76.9 percent), including 7-of-8 in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT

Memphis returns to Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Thursday, Nov. 12, when the Tigers host SEC opponent Alabama at 6 p.m. The contest will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Season tickets for the 2026-27 Memphis women's basketball season are on sale now and 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.