TicketsTonight, the Bearcats did something to Eastern Kentucky that a lot of opponents have been doing to them this season: they won the turnover battle, and it paid big dividends.
With only two games remaining before the start of the conference season, the Bearcats showed many encouraging signs, and answered a couple questions I had during the previous three-game losing streak:
Can UC figure out how to play with a lead?
After extending a 5-point halftime lead to a game-high 20 late in the 2nd half, UC showed some control and poise while forcing EKU into some key turnovers.
Last time out against Butler, the lack of intense play was an issue in allowing an early 15-point lead to evaporate in a tough loss.
"We played together," said point guard Shareese Ulis. "We focused more on maintaining our intensity."
Maintain intensity they did, playing perhaps their most complete game of the season so far.
"The thing I'm really proud of is we not only built a lead, but we were able to extend it," said head coach Jamelle Elliott.
Cincinnati ended up only committing 13 turnovers while forcing 22. The Bearcats' 22 points off turnovers keyed the victory.
Once Big East Conference play begins, ball control and smart basketball will be necessary ingredients to walk away from the court on any given night with a win; mistakes will be punished far more severely than they have in the non-conference schedule.
Will anyone from the bench be able to step up and give productive, significant minutes?
Ever since Daress McClung won a job in the starting five, the team has struggled to find production coming off the bench.
Tonight, guard Shanasa Sanders broke out of her season-long funk and showed some of the play that put her on the all-Big East freshman team a year ago.
With 11 points and five rebounds on three of four from the floor and two of two from long distance, the Bearcats may have finally found the depth at guard that's been missing in action since the beginning of the season.
Every Cincinnati starter played 32 minutes or less and stayed fresh because of her production over 19 minutes.
With little depth at the low post position and the problems that will entail all season, it is absolutely essential for all of UC's guards to play at a consistently high level. If Sanders can keep having nights like this, I feel much better about Cincinnati's chances when they take the court in the Big East.
Other notes:
-Forward Bryonna Snow did not dress tonight due to coach's decision. Elliott chose not to elaborate.
-Guard Kahla Roudebush scored 11 points, putting her in double figures for the first time in five games, the longest period since her freshman year.
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