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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team lost to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 76-63, on Senior Day Saturday inside Fifth Third Arena.
// THE SHORT STORY
UC (8-20, 4-13 The American) battled with Tulsa (11-18, 8-10 The American) throughout the first half with the Bearcats facing only a 32-29 deficit at halftime after trailing by nine points at instances in both the first and second quarters. Cincinnati surged out of halftime with a 5-0 burst to take the lead just 30 seconds into the third quarter. The game was tight until the Golden Hurricane manufactured an 11-0 streak late in the third period to help take a 54-47 advantage into the final period. A 7-0 burst by the visitors to begin the fourth quarter put UC down by 14 points as Tulsa progressed to up its lead to as many as 18 points to put away the Bearcats, 76-63.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Ana Owens: 19 points | 3 rebounds | 2 assists
Jasmine Whitfield: 18 points | 6 rebounds | 2 assists
Alyesha Lovett: 11 points |9 rebounds | 2 assists
Shelbi Chandler: 7 points | 5 rebounds
TULSA
Ashley Clark: 27 points | 8 rebounds | 5 assists
Ashley Hughes: 14 points | 3 assists | 2 rebounds
Te'era Williams: 9 points | 10 rebounds
// KEY RUNS
- The two teams went back and forth to start the game with Tulsa holding a 7-3 advantage six minutes into the game. The Golden Hurricane edged the Bearcats 9-6 over the duration of the opening period to take a 16-9 lead into the second quarter.
- UC fell behind by a then game-high nine points early in the second period before senior guard Jasmine Whitfield (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham buried three-consecutive three-pointers to tie the game at 18 with seven minutes to go before halftime. Tulsa responded with a quick 4-0 burst, but the Bearcats tied things up at 24 on a sophomore guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) triple at the 4:06 mark. The two teams then traded baskets for much of the duration of the quarter with the visitors gaining a slight, 32-29 advantage going into the break.
- UC stormed out of halftime with a 5-0 run to take its first lead since the eight-minute mark of the first quarter, 34-32, 30 seconds into the half. The two teams played to multiple ties and lead changes over the next few minutes before the Golden Hurricane manufactured an 11-0 run from the 4:35 to 1:49 marks in the third period to take a then game-high 10-point lead, 52-42. Over the final 1:49 of the period, the Bearcats outscored Tulsa 5-2 to bring the score to 54-47 heading into the fourth quarter.
- The visitors began the final period with a 7-0 run to take a 14-point lead. The Golden Hurricane was then able to extend its lead to as many as 18 points on two separate occasions. UC ended the game with a 7-2 rally to bring the final score to 76-63.
// TEAM NOTES
- Seniors Whitfield, guard Alyesha Lovett (Newark, N.J./Malcolm X Shabazz), and forward Shelbi Chandler (Indianapolis, Ind.) were recognized in a Senior Day ceremony prior to the game.
- The Bearcats are now 7-6 this season when the trio of Owens, Whitfield, and Lovett each score in double-figures.
- Cincinnati scored 24 points in the paint Wednesday to mark the 20th time this season it has scored 20 or more in the painted area in a game.
- UC forced Tulsa into nine turnovers and capitalized on these mistakes with 12 points.
- The Bearcats shot a fair 45.3 percent (24-of-53) from the field, knocked down six three pointers (6-of-19), and was efficient from the free throw line with 9-of-12 makes.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Owens led the Bearcats in scoring for the 13th time this season and the 27th time of her career with 19 points.
- Whitfield reached double-figure scoring for the 19th time this season and the 37th time of her career with 18. The senior also knocked down a game-high four three-pointers.
- Lovett scored in double-figures for the 17th time this season and the 40th time of her career with 11 points. Lovett also led the Bearcats in rebounds for the 12th time this season and the 22nd time of her career with nine boards.
// UP NEXT
UC will travel to New Orleans to face the Tulane Green Wave on Monday, Feb. 29, at 8 p.m. ET inside Devlin Fieldhouse in both teams' final regular season contest of the year. The game will be streamed live on ESPN3, while a live audio broadcast will be available on Bearcats TV. In addition, live stats will be accessible through .