TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati women's basketball won its second-straight game on Saturday when it topped the Temple Owls, 80-72, inside Saint Ursula Academy Gymnasium & Convocation Center.
With the win, UC improved to 11-7 overall and 3-2 in American Athletic Conference play. The victory also marked the Bearcats' eighth home win of the season and their first triumph over Temple since 2014. Meanwhile, the Owls dropped their second-consecutive contest and fell to 9-7 in 2017-18 and 1-3 in the league.
Looking to piece together back-to-back AAC wins, the Red & Black went back and forth with the visitors in the opening quarter, only to fall behind late with a 24-17 deficit going into the second period. UC answered in the following quarter, tying the game midway through the stanza and trailing by three, 41-38, at halftime after an Owls 3-pointer at the buzzer.
The Bearcats matched the visitors from Philadelphia throughout the third quarter, tying the game on five separate occasions and taking a 58-57 lead into the final period following free throws from sophomore guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup in the final seconds. UC came out energized to begin the fourth quarter, outscoring Temple 12-6 over the first five minutes. The Owls cut their deficit to just three, 72-69, with 2:30 remaining, but the Red & Black stayed solid down the stretch to seal the victory.
Four Bearcats reached double-figure scoring, led by a season-high 17 points, in a reserve role, from sophomore transfer guard Genesis Parker (Bristow, Va./Stonewall Jackson/Virginia Tech). Sophomore forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) added 14 points -- as well as eight rebounds, three assists, and a block – while freshman forward IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Furthermore, senior guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) tallied 12 points and five assists. For Temple, senior guard Tanaya Atkinson poured in a visiting individual opponent record 39 points.
UC's bench was the story on Saturday, scoring 41 points compared to just 22 for TU's reserves. The Bearcats were dominant in the paint with 50 points, and outrebounded the opposition, 40-34. The Red & Black also had the luxury of very efficient shooting at 52.6 percent from the field. Additionally, the home team shot 15 more free throws than the visitors, knocking down 16 in total.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will have more than a week layoff before returning to action on Sunday, Jan. 21 for a 2 p.m. tipoff against Memphis inside Saint Ursula Academy Gymnasium & Convocation Center. Admission to the game will be free of charge as part of the season-long Experience UC initiative.
With the win, UC improved to 11-7 overall and 3-2 in American Athletic Conference play. The victory also marked the Bearcats' eighth home win of the season and their first triumph over Temple since 2014. Meanwhile, the Owls dropped their second-consecutive contest and fell to 9-7 in 2017-18 and 1-3 in the league.
Looking to piece together back-to-back AAC wins, the Red & Black went back and forth with the visitors in the opening quarter, only to fall behind late with a 24-17 deficit going into the second period. UC answered in the following quarter, tying the game midway through the stanza and trailing by three, 41-38, at halftime after an Owls 3-pointer at the buzzer.
The Bearcats matched the visitors from Philadelphia throughout the third quarter, tying the game on five separate occasions and taking a 58-57 lead into the final period following free throws from sophomore guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup in the final seconds. UC came out energized to begin the fourth quarter, outscoring Temple 12-6 over the first five minutes. The Owls cut their deficit to just three, 72-69, with 2:30 remaining, but the Red & Black stayed solid down the stretch to seal the victory.
Four Bearcats reached double-figure scoring, led by a season-high 17 points, in a reserve role, from sophomore transfer guard Genesis Parker (Bristow, Va./Stonewall Jackson/Virginia Tech). Sophomore forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) added 14 points -- as well as eight rebounds, three assists, and a block – while freshman forward IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Furthermore, senior guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) tallied 12 points and five assists. For Temple, senior guard Tanaya Atkinson poured in a visiting individual opponent record 39 points.
UC's bench was the story on Saturday, scoring 41 points compared to just 22 for TU's reserves. The Bearcats were dominant in the paint with 50 points, and outrebounded the opposition, 40-34. The Red & Black also had the luxury of very efficient shooting at 52.6 percent from the field. Additionally, the home team shot 15 more free throws than the visitors, knocking down 16 in total.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will have more than a week layoff before returning to action on Sunday, Jan. 21 for a 2 p.m. tipoff against Memphis inside Saint Ursula Academy Gymnasium & Convocation Center. Admission to the game will be free of charge as part of the season-long Experience UC initiative.