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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team was unable to overcome a late surge from the Xavier Musketeers as it dropped a 65-56 decision in the 2015 Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout inside the Cintas Center.
// THE SHORT STORY
As is typically the case in the rivalry game, the 2015 edition of the Shootout, too, was tightly contested featuring seven ties and 14 lead changes. In the first half, the Bearcats (3-5) faced an early deficit, but battled back to lead by as many as six points, 18-12, and went into halftime with a 30-25 advantage. In the third quarter, UC increased its lead to a game-high seven points early in the period. The Musketeers (7-2) refused to go away lightly at home, though, and surged ahead in the quarter to take a 47-45 advantage into the final period. The two teams traded baskets in the fourth before XU ended the game on an 11-0 run to keep the Kendle Cup traveling trophy in Norwood.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Jasmine Whitfield: 14 points | 2 rebounds | 1 steal
Ana Owens: 13 points | 3 assists | 2 steals
Bianca Quisenberry: 10 points | 3 rebounds | 3 steals
XAVIER
Briana Glover: 18 points | 2 rebounds
Jenna Crittendon: 10 points | 7 rebounds | 4 assists
Aliyah Zantt: 9 points | 7 rebounds | 3 assists
// KEY RUNS
- The Bearcats trailed 10-6 with four minutes left in the first quarter before senior guard Jasmine Whitfield (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) scored four-straight baskets, including back-to-back three-pointers, to give UC a 16-10 advantage with 1:27 remaining in the period.
- UC held an 18-12 advantage with nine minutes to go in the second quarter before XU manufactured a 7-0 run to take a 19-18 advantage with 5:51 left in the first half.
- After a back-and-forth four minutes, the Bearcats scored four points in the final minute of the second quarter, including an offensive rebound and jumper at the buzzer from freshman guard Nikira Goings (Marietta, Ga./Osborne), to bring the score to 30-25 in favor of UC at the half.
- UC pulled ahead by a game-high seven points, 34-27, with 8:42 left in the third quarter before the Musketeers put together an 11-5 surge to make the score 39-38 in favor of the Bearcats with 4:23 remaining in the period.
- XU gained its first lead since the 5:51 mark of the second quarter with a lay-in by Briana Glover with 4:02 left in the third and took a 47-45 advantage into the final quarter.
- A pair of three-pointers from Goings in the opening two minutes of the fourth period allowed the Bearcats to keep pace and maintain a 51-50 lead.
- After the two teams traded the lead over the next six minutes, the Musketeers ended the game with an 11-0 burst to pull away for a 65-56 victory.
// TEAM NOTES
- UC forced XU into 18 turnovers, but only capitalized on these miscues with 11 points.
- In the second half, the Bearcats fired from three-point range at a 50 percent (5-of-10) clip.
- Cincinnati dished out 10 assists on 21 made field goals.
- UC led the game for 20:14, while the game was tied for 3:19.
- The Bearcats got to the free-throw line only 10 times, making six of those attempts, while the Musketeers were 12-of-15 from the charity stripe.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Whitfield turned in her seventh double-digit scoring performance of the season and 25th of her career with 14 points. This scoring performance marks the fourth time this season the senior has led the team in scoring and the 13th time of her career.
- Sophomore point guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) reached double-figure scoring for the seventh time this season and 25th time of her career with 13 points
- Junior guard Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) scored 10 points to record her second-straight double-digit scoring performance, fifth of the season, and the 14th of her career.
- Goings came off of the bench to score a season-best eight points including an also season-high two three-pointers.
- Senior guard Alyesha Lovett (Newark, N.J./Malcolm X Shabazz) led the team in rebounds for the third time this season and 13th time of her career with six boards.
// UP NEXT
UC will come back home to take on the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks on Friday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. inside Fifth Third Arena. Admission will be complimentary as part of the University's "Experience UC" initiative. The game will also be streamed live on Bearcats TV.