TicketsNov. 29, 2009
CINCINNATI - Carla Jacobs (Cleveland, Ohio/Regina) scored a game-high 14 points to lead the University of Cincinnati women's basketball team to a 55-35 win against Dartmouth on Sunday (Nov. 29) in Fifth Third Arena.
The Bearcats (4-2) got 13 points, four rebounds, and five assists from Michelle Jones (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mt. Notre Dame) and nine points each from Shareese Ulis (Toledo, Ohio/Trinity Valley C.C.) and Daress McClung (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North).
A sloppy first half saw Dartmouth (1-4) turn the ball over 15 times, but UC returned the favor, turning it over eight times and taking just a three point lead into halftime, 25-22. Dartmouth shot 47 percent from the floor in the half, but self-inflicted wounds hurt the Big Green.
The Bearcats defense was stout the entire afternoon, holding the Big Green to just 10 field goals and 30 percent shooting, while forcing 24 turnovers.
"Our defense is always good," said head coach Jamelle Elliott. "On offense we have a lot of work to do, and we need to be more consistent in getting the ball inside. That has to be our bread and butter. We can't just settle for threes every time we go down the floor. We have to go inside consistently to be successful."
Jones and McClung were certainly successful inside, combining to shoot 10-of-12 from the floor with eight rebounds. When they were doubled, the duo showed the ability to find the open man, as evidenced by the combined eight assists between them.
After Dartmouth tied it at 25-25 with 19:26 to play in the game, UC held the Big Green without a field goal for over 12 minutes. When Sasha Dosenko stopped the bleeding with a three with 7:22 left, the Bearcats led 46-31, and were on their way to a win.
Dartmouth made just those two threes in the second half, shooting 2-of-16 from the floor. The 13 points in the half were the fewest the Bearcats have allowed since Savannah State scored 13 in the first half on Nov. 29, 2008, in a 64-34 UC win.
Led by Jacobs and Kahla Roudebush (Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) with six each, the Bearcats again won the rebounding battle, 33-24. UC has outrebounded its opponent in five of its six games this season.
The Bearcats will host Kentucky on Friday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m. in Fifth Third Arena.