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MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team rallied from a five-point deficit with 4:38 remaining in the game to defeat the Memphis Tigers, 66-59, on Saturday afternoon at Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
With the win, UC improves to 12-5 on the season and 3-1 in American Athletic Conference action. Meanwhile, UM falls to 8-5 overall and 1-3 in league play.
Three Bearcats turned in double-figure scoring performances with junior forward Shanice Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara/Monroe Community CC) posting a game-high 22 points - including 10 in the fourth quarter - while sophomore forward Chelsea Warren (Red Oak, Texas) recorded a career-high 14 points and senior guard Bianca Quisenberry (Springfield, Ohio/Tecumseh) added 11. The Tigers also had three players in double-figures, paced by Brea Elmore's 16 points.
UC had a 30-28 edge at halftime following a tightly-contested first half. As has become the norm lately, the Bearcats were the aggressors to start the third quarter, producing an 8-2 surge to claim its biggest advantage of the game. Leading by two start the final quarter, UC saw UM go on a 10-3 streak to take its largest lead of the game. Trailing 54-49 with 4:38 to go, the Bearcats kicked into overdrive with a 17-5 run over the duration of the game to complete the road comeback.
// QUARTER-BY-QUARTER BREAKDOWN
The Bearcats got off to a strong start, taking advantage of offensive rebounds and forcing the Tigers into turnovers to take a 10-6 lead midway through the first quarter. Over the duration of the period, UC struggled from the field, making only two of its final nine shots as UM tied the game at 17 heading into the second quarter.
UC manufactured a 6-0 run early in the second to take a 23-18 advantage. The Tigers answered right back with a 6-0 burst to lead 24-23 midway through the period. The Bearcats pulled ahead by four, 30-26, with 1:06 to go before halftime. A late bucket by UM made the score, 30-28, UC, going into the break.
The Bearcats reeled off an 8-2 run including scoring the first four points of the third quarter to take its largest lead of the game, 38-30, at the 6:36 mark. The Tigers responded to cut their deficit to two, 40-38, over the next two minutes but UC countered to go up by six. After a 44-all tie with 48 seconds left in the period, Warren finished down low with 22 seconds remaining to give the Bearcats a 46-44 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The Tigers outscored the Bearcats 10-3 through the opening five-and-a-half minutes of the final period to take their largest advantage, 54-49, of the game. Facing adversity, UC answered with a 7-0 run to pull ahead, 56-54. The Bearcats would not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game including three unanswered points to end the contest.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI
Shanice Johnson: 22 points | 5 rebounds | 4 steals
Chelsea Warren: 14 points | 7 rebounds
Bianca Quisenberry: 11 points | 4 rebounds | 2 assists
MEMPHIS
Brea Elmore: 16 points | 3 rebounds | 3 assists
Cheyenne Creighton: 13 points | 9 rebounds
Taylor Barnes: 10 points | 3 rebounds
// UP NEXT
UC will return to Fifth Third Arena to welcome the SMU Mustangs for a 7 p.m. tipoff on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Admission will be complimentary, as it is all season long, as part of the Experience UC initiative. Game promotions include a celebration of Greek Night and $2 draft beers for sale at concessions. Fans unable to attend can watch the game live on the American Digital Network.
// 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.