TicketsDec. 28, 2006
, - Some hot-handed Hogs and some slippery fingers led to UC's worst first half of the season, and ultimately a 94-82 loss to No. 23 Arkansas. The Bearcats made a strong case in the second half, but the Lady Razorbacks staved off the comeback rally.
The Bearcats (9-3) fell behind by 14 points after the first half and never fully recovered. The Lady Razorbacks (14-1), who are off to their best start in school history, drilled their first six 3-point field goals and finished the half converting 7-of-10 from behind the arc. They would finish the game shooting 69 percent from 3-point range, the highest 3-point percentage UC has allowed all season.
led 42-28 at the break. The Bearcats, who averaged 16.7 turnovers a game coming into this contest, had 18 give aways in the first half alone. They did recover and only committed five turnovers in the second stanza.
"Their defense put us in a position to turn it over 18 times in the first half," said UC head coach Laurie Pirtle. "The 3-pointers gave them a great lead too."
The Bearcats' 28 points is a season-low for first-half production. UC experienced a seven-minute scoring drought to close out the period. Treasure Humphries, who tied a career-high with her 25 points, scored on a lay up with 7:11 to play. The Bearcats trailed by double digits for only the third time this season and it's the only time UC has lost by double digits this year.
"That was a very athletic team. We stopped them in their sets, but we could not stop them one-on-one," said Pirtle. "That is a powerful force for them."
UC battled back in the second half and got within four points on a driving lay up by Carla Jacobs, cutting the lead to 49-45 with 14:30 to play. Midway through the half Karen Twehues squared up for a trey and drilled it to inch the Bearcats within 60-56. That's as close as the Bearcats would get.
"There was a point in the game when we were only two baskets down," said Pirtle. "It was a battle then and (') Lauren Ervin made some great plays. Their newcomers were key for them."
It looked as if would go down the stretch and cruise to an easy victory with an 82-67 lead, the largest of the game, with 1:54 to play. UC chipped away in the final minutes of play and Shelly Bellman's 3-pointer got the Bearcats down to a single-digit deficit again, 89-82 with 20 seconds on the clock. UC fouled quickly and Donica Cosby sank both free throws to put the Lady `Backs up 91-82. The Bearcats missed on their next time down the floor. UC opted not to foul with five seconds remaining and Cosby fired up a 3-pointer at the buzzer, despite the nine-point lead. The bucket was good and UC saw its first double-digit loss of the season.
will ring in the New Year BIG EAST style. The Bearcats return home for their next contest, taking on on Wednesday, Jan. 3. 's conference home opener will tip off at 7 p.m. at Fifth Third Arena.