TicketsJan. 3, 2007
- began the New Year with a bang, winning its first BIG EAST game and improving to 8-0 at home with a resounding 77-55 win over on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Arena.
UC (10-3, 1-1 BIG EAST) used a balanced attack and a stifling defense to jump to a quick start and held on for the big win. Five players scored in double figures and UC forced 26 turnovers - two off of their season high. Michelle Jones led all scorers with 20 points, dominating the paint, and also had a game-high eight rebounds. Treasure Humphries scored 16 points - all in the first half, Karen Twehues and Carla Jacobs each tacked on 11 points and Shelly Bellman added 10 points.
"We've been really focusing on our defense," said head coach Laurie Pirtle. "We followed a game plan and the defense is everything in that. Turnovers are always going to get you good looks. The turnovers in the first half made it fun for us."
The Bearcats never trailed in the contest. Georgetown (10-5, 0-2 BIG EAST) opened the second half with a 7-0 run and UC had a slow start in the opening minutes, but Karen Twehues came up big. She drilled 's first field goal of the second stanza, her trademark trey; with 16:15 to play to give UC a 44-27 lead. She struck again a minute later burying a 3-pointer to up UC's lead to 49-30.
"The team answered the call," said Pirtle. "They are buying into the system and we are unified as a team and staff."
Twehues had the outside covered and Michelle Jones had the inside taken care of, scoring 12 second-half points.
"Michelle is a very confident young woman," said Pirtle. "When she gets the ball she can read the play. She is very energized and working hard. It's amazing she's just in her sophomore year. She has so much room to grow."
The Bearcats used a 16-0 run to help their cause in the first half. UC held a 25-6 lead at the 11:36 mark on a Carla Jacobs pull up jumper. The Hoyas went nearly seven minutes without a field goal during that run. Treasure Humphries got the Bearcats kick started by hitting the team's first six points, converting on both 3-point field goals she attempted.
In three different offensive series Michelle Jones nabbed three offensive rebounds leading to six UC points and a 39-15 lead with 1:15 to play in the half. Jones finished the half with eight points and six rebounds. UC led by as many as 24 after Jones dished to Shelly Bellman, whose driving lay up made it, 39-15.
Humphries closed out the half like she started it, not missing a beat. The Bearcats held for the final shot, the senior dribbled at the top of the key, juked two defenders and banked in a layup to give UC a 41-20 lead at the half. Humphries had 16 points, two assists and two steals in the first period.
UC continues BIG EAST play when they play at USF this Saturday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Sun Dome.