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Bearcats Drop Nailbiter in Crosstown Shootout

Box Score

Dec. 14, 2014

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The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team had its second-best offensive output of the season but fell to crosstown rival Xavier, 72-71, on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena.

Xavier 72, Cincinnati 71

// THE SHORT STORY
Another chapter in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout saw four lead changes and four ties, with each team leading for over 15 minutes of the game, before Xavier had the final run and took a 72-71 decision. The Musketeers took the lead for good with 5:45 to play and staved off a furious Cincinnati rally in the closing minutes.

// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
#3 Ana Owens: 21 points | 4 rebounds | 4 assists
#35 Marley Hill: 17 points | 9 rebounds
#25 Chelsea Jamison: 12 points | 3 rebounds

XAVIER
#2 Maleeka Kynard: 12 points | 3 rebounds
#30 Raeshaun Gaffney: 10 points | 6 assists
#14 Briana Glover: 8 points | 8 rebounds

// KEY RUNS

  • The teams were tied 6-6 in the early going before the Musketeers used a 10-3 run to open up a 16-9 lead with 10:50 to play. Turner connected on a pair of threes during the run for XU. The run was halted when Owens drilled a three to pull the Bearcats within four, 16-12.
  • The Bearcats went on a 9-0 run late in the first half to take a 31-27 lead. The 1:48 burst saw Brandey Tarver hit a pair of free throws, Hill connect on a layup, Owens hit a foul shot and Hill make another layup and a jumper before the Musketeers scored with 32 seconds left in the half to provide the halftime margin of 31-29.
  • The run topped out at 13-2 as Cincinnati scored the first four points of the second half on a jumper from Owens and a fastbreak layup by Jasmine Whitfield. The 35-29 UC lead forced a Xavier timeout with 19:01 to play.
  • After Xavier took a one-point lead, 44-43, with 12:36 to play, UC slowly went on a 10-2 run over just more than three minutes, to take a 53-46 lead. Owens and Makenzie Cann both connected from three to fuel the run.
  • The Musketeers retook the lead using a 10-2 run to lead 61-57 with 4:41 to play.

// TEAM NOTES

  • UC Starters: Ana Owens (G), Bianca Quisenberry (G), Jasmine Whitfield (G), Chelsea Jamison (G) and Marley Hill (F).
  • UC's 71 points were the most since the season opener when the Bearcats scored 73 on Arkansas Pine Bluff.
  • The Bearcats had their best shooting performance of the season, posting season highs in both field goal percentage (.510/25-49) and three-point percentage (.500/6-12).
  • Cincinnati still leads the all-time series 23-14 and 9-7 in games played in Clifton.
  • It was UC's first loss this season when leading at the half.

// INDIVIDUAL NOTES

  • It was the first start of the season for Quisenberry following a season high 13 points at Bowling Green last Sunday.
  • Owens matched her career high for three-pointers made in the first half alone before setting a new mark with her fourth.
  • Owens also had her second-career 20-point game and was just one shy of her career high.
  • Hill had her fourth double-figure scoring game of the season and seventh of her career.
  • Hill also had three blocks, a season high and matching her career high.
  • Jamison scored a career-best 12 points while hitting a career-high five field goals.
  • Tarver grabbed a career-best six rebounds.