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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team began the 2015-16 season on a positive note by defeating the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles, 69-46, in an exhibition matchup Saturday afternoon inside Fifth Third Arena.
// THE SHORT STORY
The Bearcats jumped out to a quick 21-11 lead in the first quarter, aided by the offensive efforts of senior Jasmine Whitfield (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham), and solid defensive pressure. An even second quarter brought the score to 33-23 at halftime.
Following the Eagles cutting UC's lead to seven points midway through the third quarter, the Bearcats put together a 15-8 run to close the period to take control of the game. Cincinnati exerted its will on its opponent in the final quarter, increasing its lead to more than 20 points with five minutes left to play. Limiting USI to only eight made field goals in the second half, the Bearcats cruised to a 69-46 victory.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Jasmine Whitfield: 21 points | 2 rebounds | 2 assists
Alyesha Lovett: 11 points | 9 rebounds | 2 steals
Ana Owens: 10 points | 4 assists | 2 steals
SOUTHERN INDIANA
Hannah Wascher: 10 points | 13 rebounds
Randa Harshbarger: 9 points | 4 rebounds | 2 assists
// KEY RUNS
- Bearcats began the game with an 11-3 advantage which was led by Whitfield knocking in a pair of three pointers.
- USI cut its deficit to only five points with 3:13 left to play in the first quarter, but a 9-4 run by the Bearcats to end the period, including a three-point conversion by Owens at the buzzer, gave UC a 21-11 lead.
- With a 26-23 lead with 3:40 left in the first half, Cincinnati manufactured a 7-0 surge to close the first half to bring the score to 33-23 at the break.
- Holding a 39-29 advantage with 5:50 to go in the third quarter, back-to-back triples from Whitfield and fellow senior Alyesha Lovett (Newark, N.J./Malcolm X Shabazz) put the Bearcats ahead, 45-31, with 4:50 remaining in the period.
- With the score at 51-41 with 8:15 to go in the game, UC put together a 13-0 burst over the next four minutes to take control of the game. During this barrage, Whitfield, junior Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh), and freshman Nikira Goings (Marietta, Ga./Osborne) each buried a trifecta.
// TEAM NOTES
- Starters: Owens (G), Lovett (G), Quisenberry (G), Whitfield (G), Chandler (F)
- The Bearcats shot the ball at a 38-percent (25-of-66) clip from the field, but were deadly from behind the arc with 10 three-pointers (10-of-22) made.
- UC limited USI to 37 percent (18-of-49) shooting from the field, but really locked the Eagles down from beyond three-point range with only four makes (4-of-14).
- Cincinnati forced Southern Indiana into 30 turnovers.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Whitfield scored a game-high 21 points; three off of her career high of 24 which occurred twice last season.
- Lovett was one rebound away from her first-career double-double. Saturday was Lovett's first game action since March 8, 2014 after suffering an Achilles injury in the preseason last year.
- Owens posted her 19th-career game with double-digit points.
- Goings came off of the bench to score eight points in only 14 minutes of play.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati will begin a three-game homestand to start the year next Saturday with the regular-season opener at 1 p.m. against Saint Francis (Pa.).
// EXPERIENCE UC
This season, the Bearcats will be participating in the University's "Experience UC" initiative which offers complimentary, free of charge admission to home games. The initiative is geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the University. Groups interested in attending games in 2015-16 should contact Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Branding Luke Willman (513-556-1081; luke.willman@uc.edu) for more information.