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DALLAS - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team came up short in its American Athletic Conference opener Saturday, a 64-47 loss to SMU at Moody Coliseum.
The setback snaps a three-game win streak for UC and brings the Bearcats' record to 9-5 overall and 0-1 in the league. Meanwhile, SMU improves to 10-4 on the season and is 1-0 in conference action.
Senior guard Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) led UC in scoring for the third-straight game with a game-high 19 points including a career-high tying three three-pointers. Junior forward Shanice Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara/Monroe CC) chipped in six points and a team-best 12 rebounds. Preseason second team All-American Athletic Conference selection Alicia Froling paced the Mustangs with 17 points and game bests of 13 rebounds and six blocks.
The game was highly competitive in the first half with the Bearcats battling back from seven-point deficits in both the first and second quarters. An 8-2 UC run over the final 4:34 of the first half made it a one point, 32-31, game in favor of SMU going into halftime. The game got away from the Bearcats in the third quarter when SMU manufactured a 14-0 run to start and gained control as UC was held without a made field goal in the period. The Bearcats played a tight fourth quarter, edged only 13-10, but their third-quarter woes proved costly as the host Mustangs came away victorious in the league opener for both teams.
// QUARTER-BY-QUARTER BREAKDOWN
The two teams traded baskets early on with the Bearcats trailing 7-6 five minutes into the game. SMU then went on an 8-2 run over the next two minutes to force a UC timeout. The Bearcats responded to the seven-point deficit with an 11-6 surge to end the period -- aided by a pair of three-pointers from Quisenberry -- to bring the score to 21-19, SMU, at the end of the first quarter.
Armed with the momentum, UC unfortunately fell victim to a 9-5 Mustangs' streak to begin the second quarter as the home team built up a 31-24 advantage with 4:34 to go before halftime. The Bearcats bounced back from their cold shooting early with an 8-2 run to end the quarter to trail by only one point, 33-32, going into the halftime break.
Out of halftime, UC fell victim to a 14-0 run by SMU over the opening six-and-a-half minutes of the third quarter. A free throw conversion from Johnson broke the streak at the 3:30 mark. The Bearcats faced a game-high 17-point deficit, 50-33, with 1:30 remaining in the period but responded to cut it to 51-37 going into the fourth quarter.
The two teams traded baskets in the fourth as UC was unable to make up any significant ground.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Bianca Quisenberry: 19 points | 3 rebounds | 3 steals
Shanice Johnson: 12 rebouunds | 6 points | 2 steals
Ana Owens: 6 assists | 4 points
SMU
Alicia Froling: 17 points | 13 rebounds | 6 blocks
Devri Owens: 12 points | 3 rebounds | 2 steals
Dai'ja Thomas: 8 points | 8 rebounds
// UP NEXT
UC will return to Cincinnati for its home conference opener on Wednesday, Jan. 4, when it welcomes the UCF Knights to Fifth Third Arena for a 7 p.m. tipoff. Admission will be complimentary, as it is all season long, as part of the Experience UC initiative. Fans unable to attend the game can watch live on BearcatsTV. 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.