University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
0-1,0-0American
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
1-0,0-0SWAC
Tigers Fall in Season Opener
Nov 03, 2025 | Women's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis women's basketball dropped the opening contest of the 2025-26 season, a 69-64 affair against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
The Tigers (0-1) led for most of the game but lost the advantage with 2:47 remaining in the fourth quarter and could not get it back. Late free throws from the Golden Lions extended the lead to five and made the fourth-quarter score 25-10 in favor of the visitors.
Chaé Harris led the Tigers with 19 points in her Memphis debut, connecting on three of Memphis' five threes on the day. Daejah Richmond added 12 points, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
It was a back-and-forth contest for most of the game, which tipped off at 11:00 a.m., and Memphis led by two after the first stanza thanks to five points from Harris and four from Tamya Smith.
The Tigers shot 45% in the first half compared to 23% from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but nine free throws and a +5 rebounding advantage allowed the Golden Lions to take a 25-24 lead before Memphis rattled off an 11-1 run to lead by 10 at the break.
The advantage stayed between eight and 12 for the entire third quarter, and freshman Brooklynn Charlo connected on a three-pointer on her first collegiate attempt early in the fourth to take a 57-44 lead. The game would turn in favor of the Golden Lions after that, as a 19-3 run gave them the lead for the first time in nearly two quarters.
Guard Indiya Bowen led all scorers with 29 points, including 18 of Arkansas-Pine Bluff's 25 points in the final quarter. Down 63-60, Richmond drove to the basket and finished at the cup to cut it to one, and Memphis forced an airball on the other end, but Briontanay Marshall grabbed the loose ball and finished through a foul to push the lead.
The Tigers finished with 36.5% shooting from the field, tanked by a second-half figure of 29.5%. They left nine points at the free-throw line and were out-rebounded, 62-46.
Memphis will hit the road for a matchup with Little Rock on Friday, November 7. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.
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.
