Elmore Leads Tigers To Road Win Over UCF

Saturday, January 7

Orlando, Fla.

1:00 PM

University of Memphis

8-8, 1-2AAC

UCF

10-6, 0-3AAC

Memphis

UCF

Photo by: Brandon Dill

Jan 07, 2017 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Brea Elmore scored a career-high 25 points to help push the Tigers to the first conference win of the 2016-17 season

ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Memphis women's basketball team overcame a second half push by UCF Saturday afternoon to defeat the Knights by a score of 65-62 in Orlando, Fla. The win improves the Tigers to 8-8 on the year and 1-2 in American Athletic Conference play.

How It Happened
It was a slow start on both sides of the court as the scored remained 2-2 with over six minutes remaining in the first half. UCF scored five unanswered to take over the first lead of the game before Brea Elmore answered with a three-pointer.

There proved to be three more ties in the first quarter and four more in the second before Elmore hit a jumper as time expired to lift Memphis to a 30-28 halftime lead.

The Tigers came out of the locker room scoring six quick points by Elmore to extend their lead up to eight with 8:49 to play in the third. Foul trouble, however, plagued Memphis early in the third and momentum shifted in favor of the Knights. A 17-2 run rattled off by UCF to close out the third put the Knights up five over the visiting Tigers.

Memphis answered to start the fourth with a 6-0 run including back-to-back baskets by Taylor Barnes and a pair of free throws by Elmore. The fourth quarter then brought seven lead changes with the final coming after a free by Breigha Wilder-Cochran with 28 seconds remaining.

Turning Point
After UCF went on a 17-2 run to close out the third quarter, Memphis answered with a 6-0 run at the start of the fourth to regain the lead. As the quarter progressed, UCF got in foul trouble and the Tigers stayed disciplined by not fouling. Whenever UCF made a basket or free throws, Memphis was able to have an answer and with 28 seconds to play, Breigha Wilder-Cochran made a free throw that proved to put Memphis up for good.

Notables

Brea Elmore scored a career-high 25 points for the Tigers, marking her second 20+ point performance of the season.
Milena Bajic got her first career start against the Knights.
Memphis finished as a team shooting 53.5 percent from the floor, which is the second highest percentage this season.
Brea Elmore has now made at least one three in the last eight games. She finished Saturday's game with three made three's.
Cheyenne Creighton scored 16 points to maintain her season average of just over 15 points per game.
Creighton also went 6-for-6 from the free throw line to lead Memphis. The six, made free throws was a career-high. Creighton also finished the game with a career-high three assists and zero turnovers.
Breigha Wilder-Cochran recorded a season-high six assists to lead Memphis. The Tigers finished with 13 assists on 23 made baskets.

Next Up For The Tigers
The Tigers return home for one game next Saturday against Cincinnati. Tip-off against the Bearcats is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. For more information on the Memphis women's basketball team, follow the Tigers on Twitter at @MemphisWBB or go online to www.gotigersgo.com.