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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team capped non-league action Wednesday night with an 81-53 home victory against the Chicago State Cougars at Fifth Third Arena.
UC ends non-conference play at 9-4, while CSU falls to 0-13 on the year. Nine out-of-conference wins marks the Bearcats' most since recording 10 in the 2011-12 season.
The Bearcats totaled four double-digit scorers for the third-consecutive game, led by senior guard Bianca Quisenberry's (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) game-high 16 points. Playing with just six total players, the Cougars were paced by Cailin Nix and Jessica Cerda who each scored 11.
After a week off from competition over the holiday break, UC played CSU to an even first half where both team scored 32. The script flipped in the third quarter as the Bearcats outscored the visitors from Chicago, 26-6, to take hold of the contest. A 23-15 advantage in the final quarter showed UC's continued dominance as the Bearcats took care of business in the 81-53 triumph.
// QUARTER-BY-QUARTER BREAKDOWN
The Bearcats were plagued by a slow start, shooting at a 35-percent (6-of-17) clip in the first quarter including a three-minute, 0-of-6 stretch. Meanwhile, the Cougars shot 57 percent from the field to take a 20-17 lead into the second quarter.
UC battled back in the second, outscoring CSU, 5-2, in the opening five minutes to tie the game at 22. The two teams went back and forth over the duration of the first half, trading baskets throughout. The Bearcats took their first lead since the opening minute of the game on a sophomore forward Chelsea Warren (Red Oak, Texas/Red Oak) fast-break lay-in with 4:13 to go. UC led by as many as three points, 28-25, with 3:04 remaining. CSU outscored the Bearcats, 7-4, over the rest of the period to knot the game at 32 at the halftime break.
The Bearcats came out of halftime energized, scoring the first four points of the third quarter and forcing an early Chicago State timeout at the 7:26 mark. With increased defensive pressure, UC parlayed the quick surge into an 18-4 total streak to pull ahead by 14, 50-36, with 3:39 left in the period. In total, the Bearcats outscored the Cougars, 26-6, in the third to take control of the game and take a 58-38 advantage into the final period.
UC continued to put the pressure on the visitors in the fourth quarter, holding a 20-plus point lead throughout. Shooting 53 percent in the period allowed the Bearcats to maintain a sizeable lead. A free throw with under a minute to play by freshman guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) pushed UC's lead to a game-high 28n points and brought the final score to 81-53.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Bianca Quisenberry: 16 points | 3 assists | 2 steals
Ana Owens: 13 points | 6 assists | 6 rebounds
Nikira Goings: 12 points | 6 rebounds
Angel Rizor: 10 points | 7 rebounds
CHICAGO STATE
Cailin Nix: 11 points | 3 assists | 3 rebounds
Jessica Cerda: 11 points | 3 assists | 2 steals
Destiny Harris: 10 points | 8 rebounds | 2 assists
// TEAM NOTES
- UC got 20 or more points from its bench for the second-straight game with 30 on the night.
- The Bearcats shot the ball at 45.7 percent (32-of-70) from the field for the game including a game-high 57.1 percent (12-of-21) in the third quarter.
- UC held CSU to 36.1 percent (22-of-61) shooting for the game including 13.3 percent (2-of-15) in the third quarter.
- The Bearcats dominated in the paint (46-30) and out on the fast break (25-4).
- UC scored 23 second-chance points off of 19 offensive rebounds and converted 15 Cougars turnovers into 17 points.
- The Bearcats grabbed a season-best 50 rebounds while only allowing CSU 28.
// INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Quisenberry has scored in double-figures in three-straight games and has led the Bearcats in scoring three times this season and eight times in her career.
- Junior guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) reached double-figure scoring for the 10th time this year and the 50th time of her career. She also dished out a game-high six assists.
- Sophomore guard Nikira Goings (Marietta, Ga./Osborne) has scored in double-figures in consecutive games and tied a career high with six rebounds.
- Freshman forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) recorded season bests of 10 points and seven rebounds.
- Senior guard Brandey Tarver (Chicago, Ill./Bogan Computer Technical) scored a season-high eight points to go along with four rebounds.
// UP NEXT
UC will tipoff American Athletic Conference play on Saturday, Dec. 31, when it travels to Dallas, Texas to face the SMU Mustangs at 2 p.m. ET inside Moody Coliseum. The game will be broadcasted live on The American Digital Network. Fans can also tune into a live audio broadcast on BearcatsTV.
// 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.