TicketsJan. 17, 2007
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- and Xavier played in front of a sold out crowd Wednesday in the Women's Crosstown Shootout. The game, centered on the theme "Celebrate Women in Sports", was a huge success for both teams and the community, but Xavier (14-5) used a monster second half to steal UC's show, 89-76. With the win the Musketeers nabbed the ornate Kendle Cup and dealt the Bearcats their first home loss this season.
head coach Laurie Pirtle said the first half was like watching a great movie. UC (11-6) led 42-34 at the half. The Bearcats were executing and playing well, and shot a blazing 51 percent from the field. Michelle Jones scored 11 to lead UC. jumped to a 7-0 head start in the contest on a Treasure Humphries lay up. Emy Ogide's turn around jumper with 10:07 to play in the half gave UC its largest lead, putting the Bearcats up by 14 points, 27-13. The Musketeers cut the lead to 40-34, but Jones countered with a jumper to give UC its halftime lead of 42-34. Angel Morgan blocked a Xavier shot with 2.7 seconds on the clock.
The second half was more like a bad horror movie for the Bearcats and Xavier's Amber Harris was Godzilla. The freshman scored a career-high 32 points with 23 coming in the second stanza. UC watched its lead slowly slip away until Xavier went up for the first time with seven minutes left in the game. The Musketeers - who couldn't miss and shot 63 percent in the half - pulled away by as much as eight points. Humphries tried to will the Bearcats back into the game, scoring five consecutive points and nabbing a steal to get UC within 74-71. The Bearcats missed a couple of shots and Xavier sank its free throws to come away with the win.
Humphries was UC's highest scorer with 20 points. Jones picked up her second consecutive double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the fourth of her career. She also added a career-high four steals. Karen Twehues also had a double-double for UC - the third of her career - with 12 points and 10 boards.
The Women's Crosstown Shootout included many celebrations. In a pre-game ceremony Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune declared Nov. 28, 2006 Laurie Pirtle Day in honor of her 300th win at against on that date. WCPO anchor Lisa Cornwell declared for the City of that Jan. 17, 2007 is Skyline Chili Women's Crosstown Shootout Day. A halftime ceremony "Celebrating Women in Sports" was held to honor former UC and XU athletes. Nearly 100 current and former UC and XU players were recognized. Bill Keating Jr. was recognized for his efforts to "Sell Out the Shootout." UC basketball great Cheryl Cook was on hand and recognized at half court and also signed autographs.
The Bearcats return to BIG EAST play when they host Seton Hall on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 3:30 p.m. at Fifth Third Arena.