MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Wichita State battled back to briefly take the lead in the second half, but Memphis held off the Shockers down the stretch for a 65-61 win Saturday afternoon at Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
 
Wichita State concludes its 2025-26 season 8-23 overall and 5-13 in conference play, while Memphis finishes 10-21 (4-14 American).
 
Abby Cater led the Shockers with a double-double, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds while adding four steals to move up to No. 13 all-time in program history for single-season steals with 71. Jaila Harding added 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting, including a pair of three-pointers, finishing her senior campaign with a program record 82 three pointers. Maimouna Sissoko chipped in eight points off the bench, and Taya Davis contributed seven points, six rebounds and three assists.
 
Memphis was paced by Tamya Smith, who scored a game-high 21 points with eight rebounds, while Amauri Williams added 17 points and six boards.
 
Wichita State shot 44.0 percent from the field and held a 41-32 rebounding advantage, including 10 offensive boards that led to nine second-chance points. The Shockers also outscored Memphis 34-30 in the paint and received 20 points from the bench.
 
Memphis, the conference leader in steals per game, turned Wichita State over 24 times, scoring 18 points off turnovers. Wichita State missed opportunities at the free throw line, shooting just 14-for-23 from the charity stripe.
 
A back-and-forth first quarter with two lead changes and two ties saw the Shockers shoot 58 percent, taking their largest lead at 15-12 following Harding's fast-break three-pointer with 3:21 remaining in the period. Memphis responded to take a 20-17 lead after one and extended its advantage to as many as nine in the second quarter, holding Wichita State scoreless for over five minutes, before carrying a 35-29 lead into halftime.
 
Wichita State mounted its best push in the third quarter. A 12-1 surge capped by a Cater three-pointer and a driving layup gave the Shockers a 44-43 lead with 2:16 left in the frame. Memphis answered quickly and closed the quarter on a 7-0 run to reclaim control and take a 50-44 lead into the fourth.
 
The Shockers continued to fight in the final period, scoring 17 points in the quarter, but Memphis maintained the edge at the free throw line late to secure the four-point victory.
 
Both teams' seasons came to a close as neither advanced to the 10-team American Conference tournament, which begins March 10 in Birmingham, Ala.