TicketsNov. 18, 2011
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team improved to 3-0 when it defeated Evansville, 64-34, on Friday, Nov. 18. The Bearcats were fueled by its 3-point shooting, making 60 percent (9-15) from behind the arc - its best shooting percentage since Dec. 14, 2005 when it shot 60 percent against Texas-Arlington. UC allowed the fewest points since Nov. 29, 2008, when it also beat Savannah State, 64-34.
Senior Bjonee Reaves (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon/Neosho County (Kan.)) led the way for the second-consecutive game with 18 points, while Kayla Cook (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) recorded a season-best 14 points. Dayeesha Hollins (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods/Michigan) recorded her third consecutive double-digit game with 10 points.
"They executed the plan to a tee," said head coach Jamelle Elliott. "I challenged my starters. They had my challenge and did exactly what they said they would do. I was able to rest them after the first half and get some quality players off the bench give us some quality minutes. None of our starters played over (29) minutes. Now, we have a day off tomorrow and we'll get ready for two really good teams that we'll play in Cancun."
Cincinnati started off on a 25-0 run, shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from behind the arc, and held the Purple Aces scoreless till the 11:39 mark of the first half. The hosts held its largest lead of the half - a 28-point margin - with 5:48 remaining, but Evansville went on a 9-2 run to close out the half, giving the Bearcats the 40-19 advantage heading into the locker room. It marked the third consecutive game UC has scored 40 or more points in a half.
UC didn't let up in the second half, increasing its lead by as much as 30 on three-ball from Cook with 8:40 remaining. Every player saw action throughout the remainder of the game, while all but two contributed points in the 64-34 victory.
The Bearcats travel to Cancun, Mexico for the Cancun Challenge during Thanksgiving week. UC will face South Dakota State on Thanksgiving Day at 9 p.m., followed by Chattanooga on Friday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. It returns home to Fifth Third Arena on Thursday, Dec. 1 when it hosts Morgan State at 7 p.m.