Bearcat Defense Stifling in 82-48 Win

Bearcat Defense Stifling in 82-48 WinBearcat Defense Stifling in 82-48 Win

Dec. 3, 2005

Box Score

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Four Bearcats scored in double-figures and Eastern Illinois was held to just 31 percent shooting as the University of Cincinnati dominated the Panthers, 82-48, in women's basketball action on Saturday night at Fifth Third Arena.

The Bearcats (4-1) rebounded from their first loss of the year by allowing just 13 field goals and owning the board, 49 to 19. UC scored 30 points off of 22 EIU (0-5) turnovers and held an 18-0 edge in second-chance points.

Freshman Shelly Bellman led the way with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Freshmen Jill Stephens and Michelle Jones and junior Treasure Humphries each added 10. Humphries grabbed eight rebounds, while another frosh, Angel Morgan, led UC with six assists.

Megan Edwards was top scorer for EIU with 12 points and Megan Sparks added 11.

"We really focused on defense today," said head coach Laurie Pirtle. "The kids responded great to the loss and have been pushing each other to improve this team."

The Bearcats take a week off for exams before hosting Fordham on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.

Bellman nearly single-handedly put the game away in the opening minutes. After a Sparks jumper put EIU ahead 5-3 at the 17:47 mark, Bellman scored eight points and had three steals in a 14-2 run. The Panthers were held without a field goal for nearly four minutes during the stretch as UC took a 17-7 lead.

The lead was 11 with 9:03 to go when five-straight points by EIU cut the margin to 27-21. The Bearcats responded, however, as Humphries scored six-straight points in an 8-0 run that pushed the lead to 35-21 with 5:10 left in the half.

A pair of Stephens free throws gave UC a 17-point edge with a minute left, but Edwards' second three-pointer of the half accounted for the 42-28 score at the break.

Bellman led all scorers with 11 points at the half, while Humphries added 10. They each had a team-high four rebounds, as did Morgan. UC held a 24 to 12 edge on the boards and had 16 points off of 13 EIU turnovers.

Edwards was the leading scorer for the Panthers with 10 points. EIU was held to just .364 shooting, while UC made 43 percent of its shots.

The UC defense clamped down in the second half, holding the Panthers to just one field goal over the first seven minutes. During this stretch the Bearcats went on a 13-2 run, which opened up a 57-32 lead with 14 minutes to play. Five different Bearcats scored in the run, capped by consecutive baskets by Jones.

After six-straight points by the Panthers made the score 57-38 with 12:31 left, UC poured it on, outscoring EIU 25-10 for the rest of the game and allowing just a pair of field goals.

The Bearcats allowed just five field goals in the whole second half, holding the Panthers to 25 percent shooting. UC, on the other hand, made 14-of-28 field goals in the second stanza. Emy Ogide scored six of her eight points in consecutive fashion and finished with six rebounds in just 15 minutes of playing time.