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MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team fell to the Memphis Tigers, 54-51, on Saturday afternoon inside Elma Roane Fieldhouse in UM's annual Play 4Kay game.
// THE SHORT STORY
The visiting Bearcats (7-15, 3-8 The American) held a lead for nearly 27 minutes and were poised to claim their third road conference win of the season. Leading by as many as eight points midway through the third quarter, UC was subject to a 9-2 Memphis (13-10, 7-5 The American) run to end the third quarter as the Bearcats clung to a 41-40 advantage heading into the final period. Pulling ahead by as many as five early in the fourth, Cincinnati was once again challenged by a Tigers surge to even the score at 49 with 1:18 remaining. Down the stretch, UC was unable to knock down shots, while UM took advantage of its opportunities from the free throw line as the home team held on for the 54-51 win.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Alyesha Lovett: 14 points | 5 rebounds | 4 steals | 3 assists
Bianca Quisenberry: 11 points | 3 rebounds | 3 steals
Jasmine Whitfield: 9 points | 3 assists | 2 rebounds
MEMPHIS
Ariel Hearn: 17 points | 4 rebounds | 2 steals
Asianna Fuqua-Bey: 11 points | 5 rebounds | 3 assists
Loysha Morris: 8 points | 2 rebounds | 2 assists
// KEY RUNS
- After a slow opening five minutes on both sides, the Bearcats surrendered a 6-0 run as the Tigers pulled ahead 10-2. UC answered with a junior guard Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) three-pointer and a pair of free throws from sophomore guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) and trailed 12-7 after one quarter.
- Trailing by seven early in the second period, the Bearcats got a boost from back-to-back three-pointers from freshman guard Maya Benham (Douglasville, Ga./Osborne) and senior guard Jasmine Whitfield (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) to pull within one, 14-13, with eight minutes remaining before halftime. A Whitfield basket with 5:11 to play in the quarter gave UC its first lead of the game and the Bearcats progressed to lead by as many as five. The Tigers countered with a 5-0 run of their own to tie the game at 22, but UC scored five points in the final minute of the half including a Quisenberry step-back three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Bearcats a 27-22 lead at the break.
- Cincinnati surged out of halftime with a 9-6 run to take its largest lead of the game, 36-28, with five minutes to play in the third quarter. UM answered with a 12-5 rally over the duration of the period including a 6-0 surge over the final 1:35 of the quarter to bring the score to 41-40, Bearcats, heading into the final stanza.
- UC buried a pair of three-pointers in the first three minutes of the final period, but saw the home team score six-straight points to take back the lead for the first time since midway through the second quarter - 48-47 with 3:35 remaining in the game. The two teams then traded baskets between the 3:22 and 45-second marks. Down one, 52-51, with 45 seconds to go, a junior guard Brandey Tarver (Chicago, Ill./Bogan Computer Technical) jumper went errant with the Tigers rebounding and the Bearcats forced to foul to extend the game. After a pair of conversions from the free throw line by UM senior guard Ariel Hearn, UC had one last try to send the game into overtime but an Owens attempt from three was off the mark as the Tigers prevailed, 54-51.
// TEAM NOTES
- The Bearcats shot 38.6 percent (17-of-44) from the field including 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from three-point land. UC also knocked down 9-of-10 from the free throw line.
- Cincinnati got 13 points from its bench including scoring contributions from four of its five reserves on the day.
- UC outrebounded UM 31-27 and converted eight offensive rebounds into nine second-chance points.
- Cincinnati dished out 12 assists on 17 made field goals and cashed in 10 points off of 17 Tigers turnovers.
- The Bearcats held a 27-22 advantage at halftime. On the season, Cincinnati is 4-3 when leading at the half.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Redshirt senior guard Alyesha Lovett (Newark, N.J./Malcolm X Shabazz) led the Bearcats in scoring for the seventh time this season and the 18th time of her career with 14 points. The guard also swiped a game-best four steals.
- Quisenberry scored in double-figures for the seventh time this season and the 16th time of her career with 11 points.
- Sophomore forward Brianna Moore (Locust Grove, Ga./Luella) came off the bench to score her first points since Nov. 27, 2015 against Michigan State. The sophomore totaled four points and a block on the day.
- Owens grabbed a game-high six rebounds. This marks the seventh time this season and the 11th time of her career Owens has led the Bearcats in boards.
// UP NEXT
UC will return home to take on the Temple Owls on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. inside Fifth Third Arena. The game will air live on The American Digital Network, while a live audio broadcast will be available on Bearcats TV. In addition, live stats will be accessible . Admission to the game will be complimentary as part of the University's season-long "Experience UC" initiative.