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Final Stats
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team dealt the Howard Bison a 66-56 decision Saturday evening inside Fifth Third Arena.
With the win, the Bearcats (4-1) secured their first home victory and are now off to the best start of a season since 2012-13 when they also began 4-1. Meanwhile, the Bison drop to 0-5 on the year.
UC dominated the first half and took a 40-23 advantage into the break. Howard was able to close the gap in the third period, though, outscoring the home team 17-12. With the Bison threatening in the final quarter, sophomore guard Nikira Goings (Marietta, Ga./Osborne) and freshman guard Sam Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East) both drilled huge three-pointers to help stymie Howard's comeback as the Bearcats pulled through with a 66-56 triumph.
Junior forward Shanice Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara/Monroe CC) recorded her third-consecutive double-double with game highs of 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Junior guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) bounced back from a three-point, 0-of-11 from-the-field showing at Miami (OH) on Tuesday with 18 points as well as five assists and three rebounds.
Howard had two players reach double-figure scoring with Te'Shya Heslip posting a team-high 18 while Sydni Johnson added 15.
// THE SHORT STORY
In the first of a three-game home stand, UC imposed its will on Howard early. The Bearcats jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead and ended the quarter with an 8-2 run to take a 22-9 advantage into the second.
The momentum continued into the following period with a 7-0 surge midway through the quarter to pull ahead, 31-14. The Bearcats continued to limit the Bison from the field over the duration of the period to bring the score to 40-23 at the halftime break.
A scoring drought and numerous turnovers allowed Howard to close the gap to 10 points, 46-36, midway through the third quarter. Competitive play throughout the stanza led to the Bearcats holding onto a 52-40 lead heading into the final quarter.
With the Bison cutting their deficit to nine -- 54-45 -- with 6:34 remaining, Goings countered with a triple seconds later. Holding onto an 11-point advantage - 59-48 - with 3:37 to play, Rodgers, too, drained a trifecta to help keep Howard at bay down the stretch. The Bison trimmed their deficit to eight, 64-56, with 1:05 to go but it proved too little too late as the Bearcats executed in the final minute.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Shanice Johnson: 22 points | 10 rebounds | 2 assists | 2 blocks
Ana Owens: 18 points | 5 assists | 3 rebounds
Chelsea Warren: 7 rebounds | 5 points
HOWARD
Te'Shya Heslip: 18 points | 5 rebounds | 2 assists | 2 steals
Sydni Johnson: 15 points | 7 rebounds |3 assists
Erin Blaine: 9 points | 6 rebounds
// TEAM NOTES
- UC limited Howard to 26-percent shooting for the game including 17 percent in the first quarter. Conversely, the Bearcats shot the ball at a 41-percent clip throughout the contest including 53 percent in the first period.
- The Bearcats dished out a season-high 16 assists on 23 made field goals.
- UC got 12 points from its bench and had eight players score in the game.
- The Bearcats knocked down a season-high tying seven three-pointers.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Johnson has scored in double-figures in each of this season's five games and is shooting the ball at an impressive 53.5-percent rate from the field.
- Owens notched her third double-digit scoring performance of the season and the 43rd of her career. Her five assists are a season best.
- Senior guard Brandey Tarver (Chicago, Ill./Bogan Computer Technical) scored a season-high four points and also recorded two assists.
- Freshman forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) tied a season best with four points.
// UP NEXT
UC will continue its three-game homestand on Tuesday, Nov. 29, when it hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m. inside Fifth Third Arena. Admission to the game will be complimentary, as it is all season long, as part of the Experience UC initiative. Fans unable to attend can watch the game live on Bearcats TV. A subscription is required to watch online.
// 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.