TicketsFeb. 5, 2008
MILWAUKEE -- Kahla Roudebush (Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) scored 21 points and Jill Stephens (Mineral Wells, W.Va./Parkersburg South) posted her eighth double-double of the season, but the University of Cincinnati women's basketball team (10-12, 1-9) dropped a 72-65 BIG EAST contest at Marquette (13-9, 5-4) on Tuesday evening at Al McGuire Center. The Bearcats built a 43-27 halftime lead, but were outscored 45-22 in the second stanza.
After two shot clock violations and two turnovers, UC got on the board and took a 3-2 lead with a triple by Roudebush. UC had trouble keeping a handle on the ball, but eight straight points from Stephens pushed the Bearcats lead to nine, 20-11, with 11:11 to go in the first half. Three-pointers by Natasha Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky) and Carla Jacobs (Cleveland, Ohio/Regina) sparked a 9-2 run for Cincinnati, giving UC a 13-point lead, 29-13, with 7:33 to go. The Bearcats, up 34-17, made their first substitution of the half with 4:21 remaining after Jacobs picked up her third foul. Marquette scored three points at the charity stripe and scored 10 points to close out the half, but the Bearcats held a 16 point advantage going into the locker room at the half, 43-27. Tenishia Benson (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) scored off a rebound at the buzzer to give UC momentum into the second half.
UC had not lost a game this season when leading at half. Stephens paced UC with 10 points and seven rebounds and Roudebush connected on two treys and scored 12 in the first stanza. UC's 43 points in the first half is the most in BIG EAST play this season.
The Bearcats opened the second half with a three-pointer by Roudebush and outscored the Golden Eagles 8-6 over the first four minutes to make the score 51-33. Marquette went on a 13-0 run over the next four minutes to pull within five, 51-46, with 11:49 remaining. Stephanie Stevens (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central) scored two points at the free throw line to put UC back up seven, but the Golden Eagles reacted with a three pointer and beat the buzzer on the 30-second clock to pull within two, 53-51, with 10:36 to play. Graboski landed a layup off a missed shot to hold a 4-point edge with just under 10 remaining in the game. Two trips to the charity stripe pulled the Golden Eagles within two, 55-53, with 8:00 minutes to play. The Golden Eagles took the lead with 7:31 remaining after Paige Fierdorowicz scored in the paint and hit a free throw but Stephens responded with a bucket and a free throw to regain the lead. Marquette took a four point lead, 62-58, with 4:42 left and held a three-point lead before four straight free throws with under a minute to play gave Marquette enough of an advantage to win, 72-65.
Roudebush's 21 points were one off her career high, set earlier this season against Valparaiso.
Angel Robinson led Marquette with 20 points and a game-high eight assists. Krystal Ellis poured in 11 points off the bench for the Golden Eagles.
Cincinnati returns home for Think Pink Day on Sat., Feb. 9, to take on USF in BIG EAST action at 2 p.m. at Fifth Third Arena.