TicketsDec. 21, 2006
- The Bearcats kept their perfect home record in tact, knocking off Tennessee Tech, 86-70, Thursday at Fifth Third Arena. Michelle Jones scored a career-high 24 points - leading the cast of the Bearcat starters who scored in double figures - and Shelly Bellman was three assists short of recording UC's first triple-double in more than a decade.
The Bearcats (9-2) pounded the ball inside, outscoring the Golden Eagles (2-9) 42-28 in the paint. Jones was key factor in the UC prevalent post play, converting 10 of 13 attempts. She had 12 points in the first half alone.
"She was really effective," said head coach Laurie Pirtle of Jones' performance. "We knew we could get it inside against the zone offense. We did well getting it to Michelle and she just flat out finished."
Jill Stephens came on strong in the second half to give the Bearcats another low-post threat. She scored eight points, all from close range.
Bellman was hot from the get-go. The Bearcats got the opening tip-off and she scored on a 3-point field goal on the first trip down the hardwood. UC led the entire first half and closed it out with a 44-36 lead. Bellman turned in a tremendous first-half performance tallying 10 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a steal, more than halfway to a triple-double. She finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. The last time the feat was accomplished at UC was by Jane Anne Preston against in a 101-100 victory on Jan. 25, 1992. She posted 13 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
"Shelly was really fired up," said Pirtle. "It's fun to coach that kind of enthusiasm."
Treasure Humphries, Angel Morgan and Karen Twehues each scored 11 to round out the starting five who scored in double figures, the first that has happened this season.
The Bearcats had 28 rebounds, doubling TTU's total of 14. UC did not allow a single Golden Eagle offensive rebound in the first period. Tennessee Tech finished with just three offensive rebounds.