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Final Stats
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team could not overcome a 3-for-13 shooting effort in the final quarter and dropped a 63-55 decision to Indiana State, Saturday, in non-conference action inside Fifth Third Arena.
The Bearcats (2-1) and Sycamores (2-1) were tied 35-35 at the half and UC moved out to a 47-40 lead entering the fourth quarter, but made only three field goals in the final ten minutes. ISU went 7-for-9 in the final frame, including hitting its final six shots.
Freshman Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) set career and game highs with her 16 points. She was 7-for-11 from the field, including a three pointer, two rebounds and a steal.
Junior Shanice Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara/Monroe CC) finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds, earning her second double-double in three games. She also added three steals and blocked a shot.
Indiana State's Wendi Bibbins had a double-double of her own, scoring 14 and grabbing 11 boards. She was one of three Sycamores in double figures, along with McKenzy Telfair and Tierra Webb, who scored 14 and 10 points, respectively.
// THE SHORT STORY
UC built up an early 9-point edge, 20-11 with 45 seconds left in the first quarter, but ISU didn't fold and used a steady 23-12 run over the next nine minutes to lead 34-32 with 1:20 left in the second quarter.
It was a nip-and-tuck battle over the final 80 seconds and a three-point play by sophomore Nikira Goings (Marietta, Ga./Osborne) and a free throw by ISU's McKenzy Telfair knotted things up at 35 apiece heading into the locker rooms.
UC used a 10-3 run out of the half to build a 47-38 lead with 1:38 left in the third quarter. UC's offense went cold and would not score for the next 7:16, allowing the Sycamores back in the game as they ran off nine-straight points to lead 48-47 with 4:25 left.
UC retook the lead moments later at 49-48 and knotted things up at 51 apiece with 3:06 to go, but they would drain only one more field goal -- a three-pointer by Miller with 32 seconds left -- and UC fell for the first time this season, 63-55.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Antoinette Miller: 16 points | 2 rebounds | 1 block
Shanice Johnson: 10 points | 11 rebounds | 3 steals
Ana Owens: 9 points | 3 assists | 2 rebounds
INDIANA STATE
Wendi Bibbins: 14 points | 11 rebounds
McKenzy Telfair: 12 points | 4 rebounds |2 blocks
Tierra Webb: 10 points | 3 rebounds | 2 steals
// TEAM NOTES
- UC shot the ball at a 36.2 percent clip for the game (25-69) and was 2-for-16 from behind the 3-point line, both season-low figures.
- The Bearcats were outrebounded, 49-31, but only 12-11 on the offensive boards.
- UC led 36-26 in points in the paint and converted 25 ISU turnovers into 17 points.
- UC got 24 points off the bench, with 16 coming from Miller's career-high day.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Johnson's double-double was her second of the season. Her 10 points was well below her season average of 28.5 points per game coming into Saturday.
- Johnson has led UC in rebounding in all three games this season.
- Owens was held to nine points on the day, under her season average of 22.5 points per.
- Miller is the second different player to lead the Bearcats in scoring in the first three games.
// UP NEXT
UC will make the short trip to Oxford, Ohio to face the Miami (OH) Redhawks on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at noon inside Millett Hall. Fans can watch the game live on ESPN3.
// EXPERIENCE UC
Again, this season, the Bearcats will be participating in the University's "Experience UC" initiative which offers complimentary, free of charge admission to home games. The initiative is geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the University. Groups interested in attending games in 2015-16 should contact Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Branding Luke Willman (513-556-1081; luke.willman@uc.edu) for more information.
// MOBILE APP: CINCINNATI GAMEDAY
Improved for the 2016 season, the Cincinnati Gameday app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices offers fans a wide variety of information on the Bearcats — home and away. The free app is available in the App Store and Google Play. The app offers live scores & stats, social interaction, and fan maps, among other features, to enhance the Cincinnati gameday experience.