CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team was defeated, 80-60, by the UCF Knights on Saturday afternoon inside Fifth Third Arena.
// THE SHORT STORY
The hot-shooting visitors from Orlando, Florida came out of the gate energized. UCF (4-13, 1-5 The American) took a 24-12 advantage into the second quarter and led by as many as 14 before the Bearcats (6-11, 2-4 The American) battled back to cut its deficit to just two with two minutes to go before halftime. A late 9-3 run by the Knights, though, pushed UC's deficit to 41-33 at the break. Making an effort to dig out of their hole, the Bearcats kept their deficit under double-digits during the opening five minutes of the third quarter. UCF then answered with a 10-5 surge to end the quarter and took a 62-48 advantage into the final period. UC never got closer than 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Knights dealt the home team an 80-60 decision.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Alyesha Lovett: 17 points | 4 rebounds | 2 steals
Ana Owens: 14 points | 4 rebounds
Bianca Quisenberry: 13 points | 5 assists | 3 rebounds
Jasmine Whitfield: 10 points | 4 rebounds | 2 steals
UCF
Zykira Lewis: 21 points | 5 rebounds
Aliyah Gregory: 14 points | 4 rebounds
Nyala Shuler: 12 points | 7 rebounds
// KEY RUNS
- UCF jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead and began to heat up from long range with three three-pointers in the opening seven minutes of the game. Coupled with capitalizing off of turnovers from the Bearcats, the Knights were able to accumulate a 24-12 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
- After the Knights opened the second period with a basket, UC responded to the then-game-high deficit with an 8-2 run to close the gap to eight points, 28-20, with 6:29 to go before halftime. The two teams traded baskets over the next couple of minutes before UCF pulled ahead by 10, 32-22. The Bearcats then answered with an 8-0 burst to pull within two, 32-30, with two minutes left in the period. The Knights then outscored UC, 9-3, to take a 41-33 advantage into halftime.
- Cincinnati reduced its deficit to six early in the third quarter, but saw UCF manufacture an 8-0 run from the 6:17 to 3:24 marks to lead by a then-game-high 15 points. The two teams went back and forth over the duration of the quarter as the Knights took a 62-48 advantage into the final period.
- The visitors engaged in a 5-0 surge over the opening three minutes of the fourth quarter to increase their lead to a then-game-high 19 points, 67-48. The Bearcats were able to decrease their deficit to 13, 71-58, with 3:15 remaining, but UCF pieced together a 9-2 run over the next two minutes to seal the game in its favor, 80-60.
// TEAM NOTES
- The Bearcats had four players with double-figure scoring performances for the fourth time this season.
- UC scored 20 or more points in the paint for the 14th time this season with 20 on the day.
- Cincinnati forced the Knights into 14 turnovers and capitalized on these miscues with 12 points.
- The Bearcats corralled 12 offensive rebounds and turned these boards into eight points.
- UC had 12 assists on 21 made field goals.
- Cincinnati got zero points from its bench. This marks the second time this season the Bearcats have gotten no scoring production from its reserves. The previous occasion was a 77-68 loss at Detroit on Dec. 2, 2015.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Redshirt senior guard Alyesha Lovett scored in double-figures for the 10th time this season and the 33rd time of her career with a team-best 17 points. Saturday marks the fourth time this season - fourth time in the last five games -- and the 15th time of her career she has led the Bearcats in scoring.
- Sophomore guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) reached double-figure scoring for the 13th time this season and the 31st time of her career with 14 points.
- Junior guard Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) scored in double-digits for the sixth time this season and the 15th time of her career with 13 points. The junior also dished out a game-high five assists which marks the third time this season and the 21st time of her career she has led the team in the assist category.
- Senior guard Jasmine Whitfield (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) recorded her 12th of the season and 30th of her career double-figure scoring performance with 10 points.
// UP NEXT
UC will look to gain its third road conference win of the season when it travels to Greenville, North Carolina to face the East Carolina Pirates on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. inside Minges Coliseum. A video stream will air live on ECUPirates.com. Also, live audio will be available on Bearcats TV, while live stats can be accessed through .