TicketsDec. 2, 2006
, - Treasure Humphries and bounced back in a big way Saturday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. After suffering their first loss a night before, the Bearcats (6-1) manufactured a 66-55 win over (2-5) in the consolation round of the 23rd annual Mildred and Roger L. White Invitational at Northwestern. After scoring just four points in the Bearcats 81-73 loss to Northern Illinois in the first round, Humphries opened up for a career-high 25 points against the Tigers.
"Treasure was a bright spot in this game," said head coach Laurie Pirtle. "She's a senior and we look to her, especially after a setback like last night."
Humphries, who shot 11-of-17 from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line, added seven rebounds and four assists to finish out the night. Humphries, one of three UC captains, stepped up and delivered leadership on the court.
Humphries and fellow captain Shelly Bellman produced 10 points each, leading the Bearcats to a 34-26 lead at the half. The Bearcats jumped ahead, 17-9, after a Jill Stephens' offensive rebound and put back. The Tigers shaved the lead to one on a 3-point field goal by Caitlin O'Neil, who led in the first half with a career-high 13 points (she did not score in the second half). UC took back control and jumped to a 12-point lead with 1:40 left in the half on a Humphries jumper. hit back-to-back shots to get within, 34-26.
UC suffered a scoring drought in the second half, putting up just six points in nearly eight minutes, allowing the Tigers to pull within three points, 40-37, midway through the first half. That's when Humphries took over. The senior assisted on UC's next basket, then created a steal at half court, went to the hoop for two points and one after being fouled, putting the Bearcats up by 10. Humphries also hit 's last field goal to put the game out of reach, 53-66, with 1:07 remaining in the game.
The game saw many positives for the Bearcats, but also showed the young UC team has plenty of room to grow.
The Bearcats forced 21 turnovers and scored 24 points off of the miscues. UC also dominated from short-range, out scoring the Tigers, 48-24 in the paint. The Bearcats out rebounded the Tigers, 37-26. UC has won the battle of the boards in each of its games this season and owns a phenomenal +12.0 rebounding margin.
"I knew we were bigger than them," said Pirtle. "We wanted to work the ball inside. I will say we got the ball where we wanted to."
The Bearcats hit 9-of-11 (82 percent) free throws, a season best percentage. Meanwhile, the Bearcats - for the second consecutive game - struggled from 3-point range, hitting only 11 percent (1-of-9) from behind the arc.
"This is a young team and we have to build on tournaments like these," said Pirtle.
The Bearcats have an eight-day break between games. They host on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. at the UC Clermont. Fifth Third Arena was unavailable due to the 's mid-year commencement.
"We are excited to get the opportunity to reach out to our fans in the eastern greater area," said Pirtle. "We hope to pack the house at Clermont."