TicketsFeb. 21, 2015
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team limited ECU to their third-lowest scoring total this season, but couldn't capitalize on the offensive end, dropping a 53-40 conference game on the road.
ECU 53 (19-8, 10-6) | CINCINNATI 40 (6-20, 3-12)
// THE SHORT STORY:
Extra possessions were the key for ECU in the contest as the Pirates took 70 shots compared to UC's 40 thanks to 22 offensive rebounds and 23 UC turnovers. The UC defense limited ECU to just 34.3 percent shooting and just 29.7 percent in the second half but ECU took 19 more shots than the Bearcats in final 20 minutes.
The Pirates scored 31 of their 53 points as either second-chance points or off turnovers. Cincinnati rebounded from a poor-shooting first half (5-22, 22.7%) to hit at a 50% clip in the second half but managed to put up just 18 shots.
Both teams struggled from three-point range with ECU hitting just 2-of-14 attempts, with both ECU makes coming in the final 1:40 of the contest. UC `s lone three came from Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) on eight team attempts.
// KEY PLAYERS:
CINCINNATI
#03 Ana Owens: 9 points | 2 steals | 2 rebounds
#22 Bianca Quisenberry: 7 points | 9 rebounds | 2 assists
#35 Marley Hill: 8 points | 4 rebounds | 2 blocks | 2 assists
ECU
#23 Jada Payne: 16 points | 5 rebounds | 3 steals
#24 I'Tiana Taylor: 12 points | 7 rebounds | 3 steals | 2 assists
#22 Jasmine Phillips: 8 points | 8 rebounds | 1 assist
// KEY RUNS:
- ECU opened the game on a 16-4 run as the Bearcats offense struggled to find a rhythm to start the contest. UC's lone scores in the first nine minutes and 35 seconds of the contest came on a lay-up from Jasmine Whitfield (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) and a lay-up from Chelsea Jamison (Indianapolis, Ind./Broad Ripple).
- Cincinnati put together a 10-2 scoring advantage in just two minutes and fifty seconds. The spurt started following an ECU technical foul with Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) hitting both free throws. She followed with two jumpers while Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) added a pair of free throws and Shelbi Chandler (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) had a fast-break lay-up.
- Cincinnati opened the second half on an 11-4 run that turned a 10-point halftime deficit into a 30-27 score at the 14:38 mark. UC got two scores from Owens, one from Jamison and a three from Bianca Quisenberry.
- ECU gradually closed out the game thanks to a 15-6 run
// TEAM NOTES:
- Starters: Owens (G), Quisenberry (G), Whitfield (G), Hill (F), Jamison (F)
- The Bearcats allowed 22 offensive rebounds to the Pirates and they shot the ball 70 times. The scored 10 second-chance points.
- Cincinnati committed 23 turnovers and allowed 21 points off turnovers.
- The defense held ECU to 53 points, it is the third-fewest points ECU has scored in a conference game behind a pair of contests against UConn, where the Pirates totaled 38 and 32.
- Cincinnati shot 50% in the second half of the contest, but took just 18 shots compared to 37 for the Pirates.
- Saturday's contest marked the first time this season UC finished a game without a double-digit scorer, but every Bearcat to play in the contest finished with at least two points.
// UP NEXT:
The Bearcats will return home for a contest against USF on Tuesday, Feb. 24 inside Fifth Third Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.