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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team snapped a six-game losing streak with a 70-57 win over the Eastern Illinois Panthers on Sunday afternoon inside Fifth Third Arena.
// THE SHORT STORY
Searching for its first win in nearly a month, the Bearcats (4-6) turned in an encouraging performance in cruising to victory over EIU (1-10). UC fell behind 5-0 to start the game, but quickly found its focus. After taking an 18-14 lead into the second quarter, the Bearcats progressed to gain a 16-point advantage with 4:39 left in the first half. UC went on to score the first 10 points of the third quarter and began to increase its lead throughout the period. Getting minutes for reserve players for the majority of the fourth quarter, the Panthers were able to narrow the gap a bit, but the Bearcats ultimately breezed to a 70-57 victory.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Alyesha Lovett: 17 points | 4 rebounds | 4 steals
Jasmine Whitfield: 16 points | 9 rebounds | 5 assists | 3 steals
Maya Benham: 11 points | 6 rebounds | 2 assists
Ana Owens: 10 points | 5 assists | 4 rebounds | 2 steals
EASTERN ILLINOIS
Erica Brown: 10 points | 6 rebounds | 2 blocks
Shakita Cox: 10 points | 4 rebounds | 3 assists
Grace Lennox: 9 points | 3 rebounds | 2 assists
// KEY RUNS
- EIU jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead, but UC answered with eight-consecutive points including a pair of three-pointers from senior guard Jasmine Whitfield (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) and sophomore guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North), as well as a steal and score from junior guard Brandey Tarver (Chicago, Ill./Bogan Computer Technical).
- Over the final five minutes of the opening period, the Bearcats outscored the Panthers, 10-7, featuring three-pointers from both freshman guard Maya Benham (Douglasville, Ga./Osborne) and Owens.
- The Bearcats opened the second quarter with a 17-5 surge over the first four-and-a-half minutes of the period to take a 35-19 lead. UC increased its lead to as many as 18 points, 41-23, on a lay-in by Warren with 1:22 left in the first half and proceeded to take a 43-28 advantage into halftime.
- UC scored the first 10 points of the third quarter and went on to lead by a game-high 25 points, 53-28, on a redshirt senior guard Alyesha Lovett (Newark, N.J./Malcolm X Shabazz) free-throw conversion with 7:28 remaining in the period. The Panthers cut their deficit to 19, 53-34, but the Bearcats responded with a 13-7 burst to take a 66-41 advantage into the fourth quarter.
- The Panthers closed the game on a 12-0 run over the final 5:45 of the contest to bring the final score to 70-57 in favor of UC.
// TEAM NOTES
-For the second time this season, the Bearcats forced an opponent into 20 or more turnovers with 20 forced Sunday against EIU. UC converted the Panthers' miscues into 14 points.
- The Bearcats totaled 30 points in the paint and got 18 points from their bench. The bench-point-total is the team's second highest in a game this season.
- UC grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and turned these boards into nine second-chance points.
- Cincinnati got out on the fast break for 10 points.
- The Bearcats shot a season-high 50 percent (8-of-16) from three-point range.
- UC shot a season-best 80 percent (12-of-15) from the free-throw line.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Lovett recorded double-figure scoring for the sixth time this season and 29th time of her career with 17 points. The senior's point total marks the first time this season and 12th time of her career she has led the team in scoring. Lovett also swiped a game-high four steals and knocked down a season-high two three-pointers.
- Whitfield scored in double-figures for the ninth time this season and 27th time of her career with 16 points. The senior was 2-of-5 from three-point range and has nailed at least two three pointers in each of her last five games.
- Owens scored in double-figures for the eighth time this season and 26th time of her career with 10 points. The sophomore and Whitfield tied with a game-best five assists.
- Benham posted season-bests of 11 points, six rebounds, and two assists in an also season-high 27 minutes of play.
- Freshman forward Chelsea Warren (Red Oak, Texas/Red Oak) grabbed a season-best and game-high 10 rebounds.
- Tarver made her first start of the season -- eighth of her career -- and scored a season-best nine points.
// UP NEXT
UC will play its final nonconference game of the season when it travels to Athens, Georgia to face the Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 1 p.m. inside Stegeman Coliseum. The game will be broadcasted live on WatchESPN and SEC Network+. In addition, an audio stream will be available on Bearcats TV.