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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team defeated the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers, 79-50, in exhibition action Thursday night at Fifth Third Arena.
Behind 19 points from junior guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) and a double-double of 10 points and 15 rebounds from freshman forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake), the Bearcats dominated KWC in their first and only exhibition game of the 2016-17 season.
// THE SHORT STORY
Leading, 5-4, a minute into the game, the Bearcats proceeded on an 11-0 run over the next five minutes to set the tone for the contest. Entering the second quarter with a 23-9 advantage, UC outscored the Panthers, 9-5, during the opening five minutes of the period to take its then largest lead of the game of 18 points. Holding KWC without a made field goal for seven-and-a-half minutes, the Bearcats increased their lead to as many as 21 points and went into halftime with a 40-21 cushion.
UC continued the pressure in the third quarter, upping its advantage to as many as 26 points early and remained steady throughout the period to take a 62-35 lead into the final quarter. The Bearcats kept their foot on the gas to begin the fourth, going on a 6-2 run over the opening minute-and-a-half to balloon their lead to 31. With the game in hand, UC cruised to the finish line, pounding the Panthers, 79-50.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Ana Owens: 19 points | 5 assists | 5 rebounds
Angel Rizor: 10 points | 15 rebounds | 3 blocks
Shanice Johnson: 11 points | 8 rebounds | 5 steals
Antoinette Miller: 10 points | 5 rebounds | 3 steals
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN
Jennifer Walker-Crawford: 10 points | 3 rebounds
Shayla Wright: 10 points | 2 rebounds
// TEAM NOTES
- The Bearcats shot the ball at a 41 percent clip including 46 percent shooting in a 23-point first half. UC was 15-of-26 from the free throw line.
- The home team held KWC to 33 percent shooting for the game including forcing the Panthers to shoot 2-of-10 in the second quarter.
- UC forced KWC into 29 turnovers, totaling 15 steals and scoring 30 points off of the miscues.
- The Bearcats scored 32 points in the paint, turned 21 offensive rebounds into 21 second-chance points, got out on the fast break for 15 points, and got 36 points from their bench.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Owens' 19 points and five assists were game highs.
- Rizor's 15 rebounds as well as her 11 offensive boards were game bests. She also swatted a game-high three shots.
- Johnson set a game best with five steals. She was also 3-of-4 from the free throw line.
- In only 19 minutes of play, Miller stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, five rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
- Each of the 11 Bearcats that played in the game scored.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati will tip off the 2016-17 regular season at Southeast Missouri State on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
// 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.