TicketsJan. 26, 2008
CHICAGO -- Stephanie Stevens (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central) netted a career-high with 16 points, but the University of Cincinnati lost at No. 25 DePaul, 81-51 on Saturday afternoon in a BIG EAST Conference showdown at McGrath Arena.
DePaul (15-4, 4-2) started the game on a 9-0 run before Kahla Roudebush (Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) scored UC's first bucket at the 15:33 mark. The Blue Demons responded with a 17-0 run over the next six minutes to push the advantage to 26-2 with 9:50 remaining in the first half. Angel Morgan (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield North) hit two 3-pointers over a two minute span, but DePaul turned seven treys into 21 points in the first half, to hold off the Bearcats.
"Give DePaul credit," said head coach J. Kelley Hall. "We fought back in the last eight minutes of the half, but against a team ranked in the Top 25 we just can't play like that. To be competitive we have got to make a commitment to defense and rebounding"
Roudebush led Cincinnati (10-9, 1-6) with seven points in the first half, but was the only starter for the Bearcats to score in the first stanza. UC committed 15 turnovers and gave up 16 points in the paint, going into the locker room with a 21-point deficit, at 44-23.
DePaul came out of the lockerroom firing from long range, making four 3-pointers, and a 16-7 run, pushing its lead to 60-30 with 15:25 to go. UC shot its first free throws of the game with 13:45 to play. The first UC starter, other than Roudebush, scored with 12:08 remaining when Jill Stephens (Mineral Wells, W.Va./Parkersburg South) hit two free throws.
Kristi Brogan (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard) added 10 points as Cincinnati's bench contributed an uncharacteristic 37 points. The Bearcats' defense allowed a season-high 13 three pointers and were outscored 28-10 in the paint.
Three players scored in double figures for DePaul, led by Deirdre Naughton's 15 points. Allie Quigley added 14 points and eight assists, while Natasha Williams notched 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Cincinnati returns home to host Louisville on Wednesday, Jan. 30, in a BIG EAST tilt. Tip off from Fifth Third Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.
--GoBEARCATS.com--