The University of Memphis women’s basketball team (8-19, 3-11 American Athletic Conference) hopes to finish their home schedule on a positive note as fellow AAC cellar-dweller Tulsa Golden Hurricanes (9-18, 3-11 AAC) visit Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Saturday for Senior Day.
Both teams have seen better days. The teams head into the weekend contest after not faring well during conference play.
The Tigers and Golden Hurricane possess a combined 2-18 record since the spring semester began, each experiencing an eight-game losing streak in the process.
What to watch
For the Tigers, the game presents an opportunity to celebrate their senior players and leading scorers. Guard Brea Elmore (14.8 ppg) and forward Cheyenne Creighton (14.3 ppg) have been constants during a tough injury-riddled season. Elmore recently eclipsed the 1,000-point mark against UCF, becoming the 25th player in Memphis women’s basketball history to achieve such a feat.
Creighton, head coach Melissa McFerrin’s first signee out of Canada, has been a rock, garnering the 2016-17 Memphis Offensive Player of the Year award as well as Best Rebounder. Among qualifiers, Creighton currently paces Memphis in rebounds (8 rpg), field goal percentage (.483), free throw attempts (109) and blocks (13). The two will likely get a proper send-off from the Memphis faithful after all they have done for the program over their four years.
A look at the opponent
It has been a rough year for the Golden Hurricanes to say the least. They have won only two of their last ten games. They average 60 points per game, good for ninth in the conference. They allow 65 points per game, placing them sixth in the conference.
Players to watch
Tulsa guard Shug Dickson
Dickson has started 13 of 31 games and has nine career double-figure scoring games. She has been Tulsa’s go-to weapon offensively, averaging 14 points per game. Dickson has also been money at the charity stripe, shooting nearly 90 percent from the foul line. The matchup between her and Elmore will be key in this game.
Memphis guard Brea Elmore
Elmore was selected as a member of the AAC’s weekly honor roll on Feb. 19. Following the UCF game, McFerrin said nothing but positive words about the senior guard.
“I look at Brea’s development and maturation process and to me that is what is so rewarding with all of these athletes,” McFerrin said. “We’re certainly going to miss her, as she can light up the scoreboard.”
The game this weekend is the second matchup between the two schools. Memphis defeated Tulsa 69-48 on Jan. 13 at Tulsa for one of their three AAC wins and second road victory of the season. The Tigers pulled away by outscoring the Golden Hurricanes 48-20 during second-half play. Creighton, Elmore and freshman guard Jada Stinson led the way with 22, 19 and 15 points, respectively.
For Tulsa, leading scorer and sophomore guard Dickson (14.2 ppg) scored 12, and the second leading scorer, senior guard Erika Wakefield (10.8 ppg), chipped in with 17.
Tip-off will be at 1 p.m. this Saturday afternoon at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse on campus. As usual, students get in free with a student ID.
Brea Elmore pulls up for a jumper. The guard had 12 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds in the game.
The University of Memphis women’s basketball team (10-17, 5-9 American Athletic Conference) will be facing the SMU Mustangs (10-17, 4-10 AAC) March 2 in their last away game of the regular season.
