TicketsFeb. 13, 2010
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Shareese Ulis (Toledo, Ohio/Trinity Valley C.C.) scored a career-high 25, including a game-tying three-pointer at the end of regulation, to lead the University of Cincinnati women's basketball team to a 66-62 overtime win against Syracuse on Saturday (Feb. 13) in the Carrier Dome.
Cincinnati (11-12, 4-7 BIG EAST) eclipses its BIG EAST win total from the last two seasons with its fourth conference win and has won three BIG EAST road games, including two overtime contests.
Michelle Jones (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) posted her second double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds, playing the full 45 minutes.
The Bearcats built a nine-point first half lead, 15-6, with 10:47 to go, but Syracuse answered with 13-4 run to knot the score at 19 with 5:00 in the half. Cincinnati then closed the half on a 9-2 run to take a 28-21 halftime lead.
Ulis had 12 first-half points to lead the way for the Bearcats. Alexander scored 10 for the Orange in the first stanza.
UC pushed its lead to as much as 13 on two occasions in the second half, but Syracuse drew even at 49 all with 3:19 to play. The Orange then scored eight of the next 11 points to take a 57-52 lead with 37 seconds to go.
A Jones layup with 27 seconds left, pulled the Bearcats to within three, 57-54. Erica Morrow missed the front end of a one-and-one and Cincinnati had possession with 18 seconds to go.
UC ran its offense and got a wide-open look for Ulis, who missed off the back rim, but the ball was deflected out to the Bearcats with five seconds to go.
The inbounds pass came to Ulis, whose 30-footer bottomed out to tie it at 57 and send the game to overtime.
In the overtime period, a pair of Val Schuster (Wausau, Wis./Wausau Newman Central) free throws with 15 seconds to go pushed the Bearcats lead to 66-62 and Syracuse's last chance three as no good.
Kahla Roudebush (Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) had nine points, six rebounds, and four assists for the Bearcats.
The teams took part in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Pink Zone initiative in support of breast cancer awareness. Syracuse wore pink uniforms and the Bearcats players wore pink shoelaces and shooting shirts.
Cincinnati will head to Providence for a Tuesday night tilt with the Friars at 7 p.m. on Feb. 16 in Alumni Hall.