FORT WORTH, Texas – No. 2 seed Memphis came from behind to defeat 10th-seeded UCF, 48-46, in the quarterfinals of the 2023 American Women’s Basketball Championship Tuesday, March 7 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Tigers (20-9) advance to the semifinals to face the winner of Tulane/East Carolina Wednesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Trailing by one at 45-44, Memphis’ Emani Jefferson grabbed an offensive rebound and made two free throws with 22.6 seconds remaining give the Tigers their first lead since Jefferson made the first bucket of the game.
On the ensuing possession, Jamirah Shutes picked up a loose ball for Memphis and after missed two free throws, Shutes picked up another steal. Jefferson stepped up to the line with 2.0 seconds left and hit another two free throws to give Memphis a 48-45 lead.
Ashton Verhulst made a free throw before intentionally missing the second, but UCF (14-15) was unable to come up with the rebound.
Jefferson recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Tigers, while Shelbee Brown added 10 points.
Taylor Gibson led the Knights with nine points.
The latest tournament information can be found online at The American's Championship Central by visiting
www.TheAmerican.org/wbb. Tickets for the championship are on sale through
Ticketmaster.
2023 American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship
First Round | Monday, March 6
Game 1: No. 8 Wichita State 71, No. 9 Temple 61
Game 2: No. 10 UCF 69, No. 7 Tulsa 53
Game 3: No. 6 Tulane 61, No. 11 Cincinnati 52
Quarterfinals | Tuesday, March 7
Game 4: No. 8 Wichita State 65, No. 1 South Florida 53
Game 5: No. 4 Houston 52, No. 5 SMU 33
Game 6: No. 2 Memphis 48, No. 10 UCF 46
Game 7: No. 6 Tulane vs. No. 3 East Carolina (20-9) | 9 p.m. | ESPN+
Semifinals | Wednesday, March 8
Game 8: No. 8 Wichita State vs. No. 4 Houston | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 9: Game 7 Winner vs. No. 2 Memphis | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Final | Thursday, March 9
Game 10: Semifinal Winners | 9 p.m. | ESPNU and ESPN+
All times are Eastern.