Lady Tigers Maul SIUE  94-49

Behind a suffocating defense and a well balanced offensive attack, the University of Memphis Lady Tigers went on the road and faced a winless Southern Illinois University Edwardsville squad and won by a score of 94-49. 

Memphis went to work quick, scoring the first six points of the game with sophomore Hannah Riddick scoring twice.  Katrina Merriweather’s squad controlled the game from the outset.  The Tigers were leading 20-8 at the end of the first quarter after shooting 45% from the field.  The Lady Tigers shot a blistering 77% in the second to put the game away with a 50-16 lead at the half. 

The Cougars won the third quarter 23-18 to get the lead under 30, but a 14-0 start to the fourth quarter by Memphis took the fight out of SIUE. 

Tanyuel Welch led the Tigers in scoring off the bench with 17.  Three other Tigers ended in double figure scoring for the day with Maddie Griggs at 14, Emani Jefferson with 12, and Jamirah Shutes chipping in 10.  The bench again flexed their muscle scoring 52 of the 94 points on the day.  Destiny Thomas, a 6’4” freshman from Jonesboro had 8 points and 8 rebounds in only 16 minutes of court time 

For the game, Memphis shot 47.4% from the field and held SIUE to 28.1%.  Indicative of their domination, the Lady Tigers outrebounded the Cougars 58-31 on the day and forced 25 turnovers 

Memphis improved to 3-1 on the season and continues their road trip with three games this week.  Next up is Southern Illinois on Tuesday at 6:00 PM in a game that can be watched on ESPN+.  The Lady Tigers close out the week in the Las Vegas Invitational at the Mirage on Friday at 5:30 PM against St. Johns and then Saturday at 7:45 PM against #12 Indiana.