TicketsNov. 6, 2006
CINCINNATI - Experience and power. The Ohio Girls' Basketball Report Legends brought both to Fifth Third Arena Monday night in a 78-74 victory over the Bearcats. The stronger Legends outscored the Bearcats 38-24 in the paint. A shaky first half cost UC the win in its final exhibition contest of the 2006-07 season. The loss brings UC's preseason exhibition mark to 1-1. OGBR sank five free throws in the final 45 seconds to clinch the win.
UC picked up the intensity and took better care of the ball in the second period, but fell short of the comeback. The Bearcats rallied from an 11-point first half deficit, pulling within one, 68-67, on a Karen Twehues trey with 3:32 to play in the game.
The Bearcats had a sluggish first half, falling behind 41-30 to the veteran OGBR All-Stars. UC, starting four underclassmen, struggled holding onto the rock, turning it over 13 times. They had just 16 the entire game against DT3 three nights earlier in their exhibition opener. OGBR shot 47 percent from the field, dominating in the post for 24 points. The Legends led by as much as 16 with less than a minute remaining in the half.
Shelly Bellman and Carla Jacobs each scored 16 points to pace the Bearcats. Former WNBA player Larecha Jones was the Legends' leading scorer with a game-high 28 points.
POWER PLAY
UC's post players junior Emy Ogide and sophomores Michelle Jones and Jill Stephens provided a powerful punch for the Bearcats, combining for 29 points. Jones led the trio with 13 points, shooting 6-of-8 from the field. Ogide surpassed her career-high for the second consecutive game, pounding in 10 points in the paint.
SISTER STORY
Freshman Carla Jacobs started at point guard once again for the Bearcats. Her older sister Tracy was in the starting lineup for OGBR as a shooting guard. The elder Jacobs played at Lander University. Carla won the battle of the siblings, scoring 16 points, including 11-of-14 on free throws, and dishing out five assists for the Bearcats, while Tracy scored two points for OGBR.
The Bearcats open the regular season Friday, Nov. 10 at Youngstown State with a 7:05 p.m. tipoff.