TicketsFeb. 22, 2011
Postgame Interview with coach Elliott
CINCINNATI - Shareese Ulis (Toledo, Ohio/Trinity Valley C.C.) scored a game-high 20 points but the University of Cincinnati women's basketball team dropped a 55-53 decision against Syracuse on Tuesday (Feb. 22) in Fifth Third Arena.
Senior Ulis posted a standout effort in hitting on 6-of-9 shots from the floor, including 4-of-6 from three-point range in playing the full 40 minutes. In two career games against Syracuse, she has scored 45 points.
The Bearcats (8-18, 1-13 BIG EAST) outrebounded the taller Orange (20-7, 8-6), 35-34. Syracuse entered the game as the No. 1 team in the nation in rebounding margin at +15.5 rebounds per game.
Cincinnati was on fire early, jumping out to a 30-11 lead with 4:42 to play in the first half, its largest since also holding a 19-point advantage on Nov. 28 at Valparaiso.
Syracuse chipped away and cut the deficit to eight, 32-24, at the half. UC shot 48 percent from the floor and 6-of-10 from the three-point line in the stanza. The Bearcats posted assists on all 11 made field goals in the half.
Syracuse opened the second period with a 15-4 run to take a 42-36 lead with 14:17 to play. The Bearcats got the deficit down to one, 42-41, with 11:06 to go before Syracuse scored eight of the next nine points to take a 50-42 lead with 8:16 left.
The Bearcats scored the next six over a four minute span to cut the deficit to two, 50-48, on a pair of Ulis free throws with 4:36 to go.
Neither team could muster a basket over the next four minutes and a Jeanise Randolph (Calumet City, Ill./Thornton Fractional North) short jumper rolled out with 40 seconds to play, forcing the Bearcats to foul and extend the game.
Syracuse hit 5-of-6 from the line down the stretch and was able to close it out despite a quick layup from Kayla Cook (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) and a three from Ulis.
Cook scored 13 points with seven rebounds and five assists in the full 40 minutes. Bjonee Reaves (San Bernardino, Calif./Neosho County) also logged 40 minutes, scoring four points with four rebounds and five assists.
Randolph shot just 3-of-12 from the floor, but posted eight points and seven rebounds.
Kayla Alexander led three Orange players in double figures with 18. Carmen Tyson-Thomas added 14 and Iasia Hemingway posted 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Bearcats are next in action on Saturday at No. 8/8 Notre Dame. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.