TicketsJan. 30, 2007
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- The Bearcats played some of their best basketball this season and had No. 6 Connecticut on their heals Tuesday night at Fifth Third Arena in BIG EAST action. The Huskies prevailed, in the end, 70-60, but UC gave them a run and had a shot at the upset. Emy Ogide and Carla Jacobs each scored a team-high 12 points to pace the Bearcats. Treasure Humphries and Michelle Jones contributed 11 points each.
The Bearcats went on a 6-0 run to start the game but UConn used a 19-0 scoring spree of their own to regain the lead, 19-6.
UC came alive and started a comeback. Humphries got a defensive rebound then promptly drilled a 3-point field goal on the other end of the court to help UC pull within, 27-16. Michelle Jones made a turnaround lay up and one just 20 seconds later to cut the lead to single digits, 27-19. Ogide scored with her back to the basket, bringing the score to 29-21 at the four-minute mark. The Huskies owned a 38-26 lead at the half, shooting 45 percent from the floor, including 43 percent from behind the arc. UC, meanwhile, shot just 31 percent and 18 percent (2-of-11) on 3-point field goals.
The Bearcats used a 12-2 run midway through the second half and held the Huskies without a field goal for nearly three minutes. UC got within striking distance on Ogide's turn around jumper with more than eight minutes remaining to pull within 53-48. The Bearcats' very next play down the court, Angel Morgan went coast-to-coast, just one scoring possession (53-50) separating UC from the No. 6 team in the country. Ogide went up and got a huge defensive rebound, outlet passed to Humphries who matched Morgan's flair with a carbon copy driving lay up, closing the gap to, 53-52.
That's when UConn's Tina Charles fouled out of the game with 6:17 to play and it looked like the Bearcats would have their way in the post. She finished with six points and eight rebounds. Jill Stephens gave UC its first lead of the half, calmly sinking both free throws to put the Bearcats up, 56-55. The Huskies turned the ball over on the very next play and Humphries made them pay, driving the distance for another two, and a 58-55 lead.
The Huskies countered with a 12-5 run, including an 8-0 run to close out the game. Renee Montgomery gave UConn back its lead on a wide open three at the top of the arc to give the Huskies a 62-60 lead with 4:02 to play. The Bearcats were held scoreless the rest of the game.
Kalana Green led UConn with 20 points and native Mel Thomas added 14.
UC plays at No. 23 Rutgers on Saturday, Feb. 3.