Tickets
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team kept its early-season winning streak going as it bested the Bowling Green Falcons, 54-51, on Saturday afternoon inside Fifth Third Arena.
// THE SHORT STORY
Looking to move to 3-0 to begin a season for the first time since 2011, the Bearcats faced another early-season unbeaten in Bowling Green (2-1). After a back-and-forth first half, UC, for the second game in a row, trailed 32-30 going into the halftime break. As has been the case all season, the Bearcats clawed back from a halftime deficit with an energized third quarter and took a 43-42 lead into the fourth. Armed with a 52-45 advantage with six minutes to go, UC stymied a complete BGSU comeback as it made enough plays down the stretch to come away victorious, 54-51.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Ana Owens: 15 points | 4 assists
Alyesha Lovett: 13 points | 6 rebounds | 6 steals
Jasmine Whitfield: 12 points
BOWLING GREEN
Lauren Tibbs: 11 points | 9 rebounds
Erica Donavan: 10 points | 6 rebounds
Rachel Myers: 10 points
// KEY RUNS
- The Bearcats dug themselves a bit of a hole early, trailing 17-9 with 4:03 to go in the first half, but battled back. UC manufactured a 5-0 run to end the quarter to bring the score to 17-14, Bowling Green, at the end of one.
- Through the first five minutes of the second quarter, the Bearcats were outscored, 7-2, as BGSU increased its lead to a game-high eight points, 24-16, midway through the second period.
- Down six points with under a minute to play in the second quarter, senior guard Jasmine Whitfield (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) nailed back-to-back three-pointers to make the score to 32-30, Falcons, at the halftime break.
- The two teams traded baskets during the opening six minutes of the third quarter with the score tying on four separate occasions. UC was finally able to take its first lead, 43-42, since the 8:52 mark of the first quarter on a pair of free throws from junior guard Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) with 1:36 remaining in the third period.
- UC pulled ahead, 45-42, with 9:32 remaining in the game, but BGSU answered with a three-pointer to tie the game at 45 with 8:56 left. The Bearcats then went on a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to lead, 52-45.
- Leading by five with five minutes left to play, the Falcons went on a 6-1 surge to cut their deficit to two, 53-51, with 2:54 remaining. Down the stretch, UC buckled down on defense, holding BGSU scoreless for the duration and adding a free throw for good measure to secure the victory, 54-51.
// TEAM NOTES
- Saturday' win marks the first time UC has started a season 3-0 since 2011 when it began the year 6-0.
- The Bearcats held the Falcons to 25.9 percent (7-of-27) shooting in the second half and 32.2 percent (19-of-59) for the game. This impressive defensive performance is a season-best for UC in both a half and an entire game.
- UC scored 20 points in the paint. Saturday marks the third time this season the Bearcats have totaled 20 or more points in the paint (36 vs. Northern Kentucky on Nov. 18, 60 vs. Saint Francis (Pa.) on Nov. 14).
- The Bearcats shot a season-high 76.9 percent (10-of-13) from the free throw line.
- UC turned BGSU over 19 times on the day. On average for the season, the Bearcats are forcing their opponents into 19 miscues.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Ana Owens(Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) posted her 21st-career game with double-figure scoring with a team-high 15 points. The sophomore point guard also dished out a game-best four assists.
- Alyesha Lovett notched her 26th-career double-digit scoring performance with 14 points. The redshirt senior guard also tallied a career-high and game-best six steals.
- Whitfield recorded her 21st-career game with double-figure scoring with 12 points.
- Sophomore forward Trinity Hunter (New Albany, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) made her first game appearance of the season.
// UP NEXT
UC will continue its challenging nonconference slate when it travels to Freeport, Bahamas to participate in the 2015 Junkanoo Jam. The Bearcats will first face the No. 5 Baylor Bears on Thursday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m., and No. 23 Michigan State on Friday, Nov. 27, at 5:45 p.m.