TicketsNov. 26, 2005
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Freshman Jill Stephens recorded the first double-double of her career as the University of Cincinnati used a 19-3 second-half run to down Detroit, 71-55, in women's college basketball action on Saturday in Fifth Third Arena.
The win improved the Bearcats' record to 3-0 on the year and the Titans fell to 1-3. Stephens posted career-highs of 13 points and 10 rebounds and junior Treasure Humphries equaled her career best for the second-straight game with 19 points. Two more of UC's freshman class also hit double figures, as Michelle Jones scored 10 points and Shelly Bellman recorded 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Lindsey Pasquinzo led Detroit with 12 points, but scored just two in the second half as the Titans were held to 26 percent shooting in the second stanza. The Bearcats shot 49 percent for the game and held a 43 to 25 edge on the boards, leading to 18 second chance points.
UC also outscored Detroit, 20-5, at the foul line. The Titans managed eight three-pointers after the Bearcats had allowed just six in the previous six games.
The Bearcats found themselves tied, 31-31, at halftime. It was the first time UC did not hold the halftime lead this year. The game was still tied, 34-34, with 16:33 to play when the run started. Detroit was held to just one field goal in the next 7:20 as the Bearcats pulled out to a 53-37 lead.
Bellman led UC in the run, scoring eight points. Humphries added four and Stephens and Angel Morgan each had three.
"We started contesting shots more," said head coach Laurie Pirtle, "and it led to some fast breaks and easy scores. Our good offensive execution in the second half came a lot from much improved defense."
Detroit rebounded to pull within 12 with 6:14 left, but that was as close as it got. The Bearcats made 8-of-9 free throws in the final five minutes and 20-of-26 for the game.
UC has now scored over 70 points in all three games, equaling last season's total of 70-point outputs. The last time the Bearcats scored at least 70 in three-straight games was in February 2003, and two of those games went to overtime.
Next up for the Cats is the first road game of the year, the annual match-up with crosstown rival Xavier on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at Cintas Center.
In the first half the Bearcats shot 62 percent, but committed 15 turnovers that led to 14 Titan points. Detroit pulled out to a 12-6 lead in the first seven minutes, but UC responded with a 9-2 run to take its first lead, 15-14, with 10:56 to play. Humphries scored five points in the run.
Pasquinzo scored five-straight points later in the half as Detroit went back ahead by five, but the Bearcats fought back and evened the scored on an Anne Stephens' score with a minute to go in the half.