Despite a strong first quarter, Memphis fell to the Central Florida Knights, 63-40, at Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Wednesday. The Tigers are now 8-19 on the season and 3-11 in the AAC. Memphis is now 11th in the American Athletic Conference standings and the Knights are third.
In the opening minutes, Memphis allowed UCF four points, but then kept it a one-possession game through five lead changes. The Tigers went on a 12-0 run to close the first quarter 19-10. The Tigers got three of four shots from beyond the arc and only had two turnovers. The Tigers also penetrated well and got 10 points from in the paint.
The Tigers played well defensively in the first quarter, forced five turnovers and were able to capitalize, getting six points off those turnovers. They also had eight defensive rebounds, and they allowed just two second-chance points. They had no fouls and forced UCF to shoot at just 29.4 percent.
The second quarter, UCF picked up their game. Three Tiger turnovers in the first minute gave UCF four points early. Senior guard Brea Elmore scored a three, which gave her 1,000 points for her career. UCF soon found momentum and went on a 14-0 run. Memphis' only other points were off free throws from Alana Davis. The first half ended with the Knights in front 30-24.
The Tigers had 13 turnovers in the third quarter, and UCF produced 12 points off those turnovers. Memphis allowed no attempts from the three-point line and stayed out of foul trouble with only one foul on Jasmine James. UCF played better defensively with nine defensive rebounds and six steals. The Knights led at halftime 30-24.
In the third quarter, UCF did not shoot from beyond the arc but earned eight points in the paint. Memphis scored just eight points in the quarter. UCF advanced their lead. They went on a 12-0 run before Davis got a layup to end their scoring streak. Elmore hit another three, and Masseny Kaba got a layup to end the third quarter 46-32.
Memphis limited themselves to just three turnovers but earned five fouls, which allowed UCF six points from the line. UCF got 12 rebounds and was able to get four points off the Tigers' turnovers.
Memphis came out in the fourth quarter with a layup from Taylor Barnes and a three from Elmore, but the Knights went on a 15-0 run in nearly six minutes of play. Barnes hit a jumper to end the game, and the Tigers fell to the Knights 63-40.
Memphis allowed four second-chance points and had three turnovers. Memphis was only able to get two points off the Knights' five turnovers.
Elmore’s three in the second quarter earned her 1,000 points for her career. She joins her best friend and teammate Cheyenne Creighton as Tigers with 1,000 career points.
“I didn’t know if (the three) was good or not,” Elmore said. “But once it went in I thought, 'Okay, you got there, now let’s play the game.' It didn’t really cross my mind until the timeout, then I was like, 'Okay, I did it.' I can be excited."
Brea Elmore pulls up for a jumper. The guard had 12 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds in the game.
Taylor Barnes shoots over a UCF defender. She was 2-10 from the field with 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
Brea Elmore shoots a three. This shot put her over 1,000 carrer points mark.
The Tigers huddle during a timeout to regroup. The team shot 29.8 percent from the field in the loss.
