Maddie Bittle Has Career Night as Tulsa Captures 72-69 Win at Memphis

Wednesday, January 5

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 pm

Tulsa

11-1,1-0AAC

Memphis

9-3,0-1AAC

Tulsa

Memphis

Maddie Bittle Has Career Night as Tulsa Captures 72-69 Win at Memphis

1/5/2022 9:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Final Stats in PDF
Season Stats in PDF

Maddie Bittle had a career-high 22 points to help lead Tulsa to a 72-69 win over Memphis on Wednesday night at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse in Memphis, Tenn. This was TU's first win at Memphis since the 2015-16 season, snapping a four-game losing streak for the Golden Hurricane at the Elma Roane.

"Maddie is playing with a lot of confidence," Head Coach Angie Nelp said. "She does a great job on offense and defense, and I'm glad she has found her rhythm. Her plays in transition were key for our team tonight."

The Golden Hurricane moved to 11-1 on the season and 1-0 in American Athletic Conference play, while the Tigers fell to 9-3 overall and 0-1 in the league. Tulsa returns to action on Saturday, January 8 at Houston beginning at 4:00 pm at the Fertitta Center.

Wyvette Mayberry contributed 15 points, while Temira Poindexter added 12. Bittle also pulled down a team-best six rebounds, Rebecca Lescay recorded six assists, Poindexter had five blocks and Jessika Evans posted two steals.

"It is absolutely tough to win on the road, but I'm so proud of these girls and their fight," Nelp said. "I am so proud of each one that stepped up in different ways and at different times to help us get this win, but also give credit to Memphis as they are a tough team, and they play hard."

A free throw by Bittle and a three-pointer by Poindexter to start the final quarter put Tulsa up 55-53 with 9:10 on the clock, and then a three-pointer by Bittle gave TU a 60-56 advantage at the 6:50 mark. The four-point lead was the biggest by either team in the final quarter as there were another four lead changes and one tied score throughout the remainder of the contest, but TU came out on top by three as Poindexter made two big free throws with just three-seconds on the clock for the final score.

Tulsa shot a solid 50-percent from the field and 46-percent from behind the arc but was just 60-percent (6-of-10) from the free throw line, while Memphis shot 39-percent from the field, 32-percent from three-point range and 76-percent (13-of-17) from the line.

Tulsa owned a 19-11 lead in assists, a 9-2 advantage in blocks and a 7-5 edge in steals, while Memphis had a 41-30 advantage in rebounds.

Memphis had a 16-6 lead in second chance points, a 23-10 lead in points off the bench and a 34-20 lead in points in the paint, while Tulsa had a 14-6 lead in fast break points.

In the first half, Tulsa got outrebounded 23-16 and allowed 16 second chance points, but in the second half the Golden Hurricane didn't allow a second-chance basket.

"We talked about second chance points at halftime and about doing our work early and getting in position even before the ball is shot, and those numbers show me our fight, and our ability to respond and adjust to the game and the way it is being played."

Tulsa owned a 22-15 lead at the end of the first frame and had a nine-point advantage three-times in the first 10 minutes. Bittle had a team-best eight points in the quarter as TU hit 56-percent of their attempts and held the Tigers to just 28-percent from the field.

Memphis battled back in the second quarter, outscoring the Hurricane 20-14, and making it a one-point game at the buzzer with the Hurricane taking a 36-35 advantage into the locker room. TU hit over 55-percent of their attempts in the first half, while UM shot nearly 39-percent. The biggest Memphis advantage was a 23-16 lead in rebounds, which resulted in a 16-4 advantage in second chance points.

Memphis never led in the first half, but Emani Jefferson scored a layup to start the third quarter and put the Tigers up, 37-36, with 8:37 on the clock. UM continued on for a 9-0 run to take a 44-36 advantage with 7:13 on the clock in the quarter. A three-pointer by Wyvette Mayberry ended TU's scoring drought and the Hurricane battled back to cut their deficit to just three, 49-46, on another Wyvette Mayberry trey with 2:39 left in the frame. With one quarter to play, Memphis owned a 53-51 advantage.

The Tigers were led by Madison Griggs with 15 points, while Jamirah Shutes added 12, and Lana Davis and Tyler Frierson both had 11 points. Jefferson had team-bests of 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals.