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FREEPORT, Bahamas - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team dropped its second-straight contest in the Junkanoo Jam when it was defeated by the No. 20 Michigan State Spartans, 103-63, on Friday evening inside St. Georges Gym.
// THE SHORT STORY
Looking to bounce back from Thursday's 72-34 loss to the No. 5 Baylor Lady Bears, the Bearcats (3-2) squared off with another nationally ranked foe in Michigan State (4-0). For the second game in a row, UC came out energized in the first quarter with a highly-competitive period of play. UC trailed by a score of 22-16 at the end of one with momentum on its side. The Spartans answered, though, and outscored Cincinnati 27-14 in the second quarter as they took a 49-30 lead into halftime. MSU was clicking throughout the second half, shooting 60 percent (18-of-30) from the field including 7-of-14 from three-point land. Conversely, the Bearcats were limited to 37.9 percent (11-of-29) shooting from the floor and were hampered with foul trouble involving may key players. Ultimately, UC was unable to overcome these obstacles and dropped a 103-63 decision.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Jasmine Whitfield: 14 points | 4 rebounds | 2 assists
Bianca Quisenberry: 10 points | 2 assists
Alyesha Lovett: 8 points | 5 rebounds | 3 assists
MICHIGAN STATE
Tori Jankoska: 30 points | 5 rebounds | 5 assists
Aerial Powers: 20 points | 6 rebounds | 4 assists | 2 steals
Branndais Agee: 10 points | 5 rebounds | 3 assists | 2 steals
// KEY RUNS
- UC trailed 16-4 with 4:38 to go in the first quarter, but answered back with a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to trail 16-11.
- A steal and score by senior guard Jasmine Whitfield (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) with 20 seconds remaining in the first period brought the score to 22-16 at the end of one.
- The Bearcats kept the game close at 28-19 with 8:24 to play in the second quarter before MSU outscored them 21-11 to end the first half to take control of the game.
- The Spartans outscored Cincinnati 54-33 in the second half including increasing their lead to a game-high 50 points, 101-51, on a three-pointer by Lexi Gussert with 3:53 remaining to play.
// TEAM NOTES
- UC totaled 28 points in the paint and got a season-best 21 points from its bench.
- The Bearcats forced the Spartans into a near-season-high 17 turnovers and converted them into 13 points. MSU's previous high was 18 against Georgia on Nov. 18.
- Cincinnati shot its most free throws in three games with 24 attempts, making 16
- The Bearcats dished out their most assists in three game with 14 dimes.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Whitfield recorded her fourth game this season and 22nd of her career with double-digit points with a team-best 14. The scoring total also marked the second time this season she has led the team in scoring and 11th time of her career.
- Junior guard Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) notched double-figure scoring (10 points) for the third time this season and the 12th time of her career.
- Freshman guard Nikira Goings (Marietta, Ga./Osborne) recorded season-highs of seven points and two assists.
// UP NEXT
UC will play its first true road game of the season when it matches up with the Detroit Titans on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. Listen to the game live on Bearcats TV.