TicketsDec. 30, 2010
Postgame Interview with coach Elliott
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Bjonee Reaves (San Bernardino, Calif./Neosho County) scored a career-high 22 points and Shareese Ulis (Toledo, Ohio/Trinity Valley C.C.) scored 19 to lead the University of Cincinnati women's basketball team to a 65-63 win over Hofstra in the consolation final of the Maggie Dixon Surf N Slam Classic on Dec. 30.
The Bearcats (7-5) built a big first-half lead, saw it dwindle, fought foul trouble and injury, and used a pair of Ulis free throws with 12 seconds to play to seal the win over the Pride (8-3).
UC started hot from the floor, hitting on 4-of-5 shots in the early going. The Bearcats led by 10 early, while Hofstra struggled from the field. UC pushed the lead to 16 on three occasions in the half and took a nine-point cushion into the break, 36-27.
Adversity crept in as Jeanise Randolph (Calumet City, Ill./Thornton Fractional North) and Tiffany Turner (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) each picked up four personal fouls in the first half.
Hofstra used a 9-0 run at the start of the second half to tied the game at 36 with 15:18 to play.
The Bearcats answered as Reaves and Ulis drilled back-to-back threes and Reaves knocked down two free throws in an 8-0 run to regain control.
Ulis, who was 0-for-9 from the field in the first half, heated up and combined with Reaves to score 17 of UC's final 21 points of the night, including a big three from the corner that - at least momentarily - gave the Bearcats some breathing room.
Randolph and Turner fouled out within 40 seconds of one another with just under eight minutes to play and the Bearcats clinging to an eight-point lead.
Hofstra outscored the Bearcats 16-8 over the next seven minutes and tied it at 63 on a Shante Evans layup with 35 seconds to go.
After a timeout, Ulis drove the lane and drew the foul with 12 seconds to go. The senior calmly knocked down the free throws for the final advantage.
Hofstra called timeout and drew up a play, but the Bearcats defense held strong and the Pride turned the ball over with under a second to play and UC held on.
Cincinnati was 19-of-22 from the free throw line and caused 20 Hofstra turnovers.
Reaves hit on 7-of-10 shots, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. Ulis was just 4-of-18 from the field, but was 3-of-7 from three and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line.
Chanel Chisholm (Long Island, N.Y./Vanderbilt) posted nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
Evans led the Pride with 17 points and 19 rebounds, including 13 on the offensive end. Hofstra outrebounded the Bearcats, 53-35.
UC will return to Fifth Third Arena for its final non-conference matchup against Miami (Ohio) on Sunday, Jan. 2, at 2 p.m.