TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati women's basketball will host the Houston Cougars on Monday for a 7 p.m. tipoff 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.
// MAJOR IMPLICATIONS
The winner of Monday's game will clinch the No. 4 seed in the upcoming 2018 Aaron's American Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Championship, March 3-6 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, and thus earn a first-round bye in the tournament. The Bearcats will learn of their tournament opponent upon conclusion of conference action on Monday.
// SENIOR NIGHT
Prior to the game on Monday, seniors Shanice Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara/Monroe CC) and Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) will be honored during a Senior Night ceremony. Owens has been a contributor from day one at the point guard position and Johnson has provided a spark for UC on both ends of the floor during her two seasons in Clifton.
// EXPERIENCE UC
The Bearcats' 2017-18 campaign will, again, be part of the Experience UC initiative which offers free admission to home games. Groups interested in attending can contact Assistant Director of Marketing & Branding Deborah Dixon at dixond9@ucmail.uc.edu for more information.
// TEMPORARY HOME(S)
Due to the current, $87-million renovation of Fifth Third Arena, the Bearcats will play all home contests off campus this year. In the regular season, UC will play two games at Cincinnati State – the Nov. 13 home opener against Slippery Rock and the Nov. 27 meeting with St. Francis (Pa.) – with the remaining games played at Saint Ursula Academy Gymnasium & Convocation Center (SUA).
// STUDENT SHUTTLE
UC students are invited to enjoy a free bus ride to the game. The bus will depart from the Bearcat statue on campus at 6 p.m. on Monday. Free student shuttles to home UC women's basketball games will continue throughout the season.
// GAME PROMOTIONS
In addition to free admission and pregame Senior Night festivities, early-arriving fans will receive a free, Bearcats-branded, Under Armour t-shirt. At halftime, there will be a presentation for a special fourth-grader through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Additionally, UCATS donors who helped contribute to the Fifth Third Arena and locker room renovation projects will also be recognized.
// THE SERIES
Monday's matchup will be the 24th all-time meeting between the two teams with UC dominating the series, 17-6. The Bearcats have won seven of the last eight matchups and are 7-2 in games played in Cincinnati. In the last matchup, the Red & Black snapped the Cougars' six-game winning streak with an 88-82 decision on Jan. 10 at H&PE Arena on the Texas Southern campus in Houston. Owens led the way in the victory with a season-high 27 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists. Sophomore forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) pitched in a career-best 18 points as well as eight rebounds. In addition, sophomore guard Sam Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East) and freshman forward IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) each added 11 points.
// LAST TIME OUT
UC (17-11, 9-6 AAC) suffered an 84-65 setback Saturday to the 18th-ranked USF Bulls inside the Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida.
Looking for a season-high five wins in a row, UC matched USF throughout the early portion of the opening quarter on the Bulls' Senior Night. The Bearcats then fell victim to USF surge to fall behind by eight points. The Red & Black responded with a 7-0 run to end the period to trail just 16-15 heading into the second. UC took the lead with 7:37 to go before halftime, but then saw the home team go on a 22-8 run to end the period -- including a 12-2 burst over the final three minutes -- to trail 43-30 at the break.
USF's momentum continued into the second half as it outscored the Red & Black 15-5 early in the third quarter to take control of the game. Facing a 70-45 deficit heading into the final period, the Bearcats did not quit and outscored USF, 10-5, over the first six minutes of the fourth to pull closer. UC's fight to the finish continued to the final horn with a 7-3 run to close the game.
Owens paced the Bearcats with 15 points as well as two rebounds and two assists. Sophomore guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) continued her strong play off the bench with 14 points to go along with six rebounds. Junior guard Nikira Goings (Marietta, Ga./Osborne) also reached double-figure scoring with 12 points.
// SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
With four double-figure scorers, Goings is leading UC in scoring with 12.0 points per game, while Owens adds 11.3, Thomas, 10.6, and Johnson, 10.2. Thomas averages a team best of 6.2 rebounds, while Johnson swipes a Bearcats-best 2.1 steals each contest. Owens' 3.9 assists per is a team high.
The Bearcats are continuing the momentum from last year's 16-14 campaign – their best season in a decade – and are striving for more. Currently sitting at 17-11 overall, UC's total wins matches when it went 17-12 in 2005-06. The Red & Black's next victory will tally its best mark since going 23-8 in 2002-03 in its last NCAA Tournament appearance. In addition, the Bearcats' current nine conference wins is their most since they won 11 in 2002-03 as a member of Conference USA.
After becoming the 26th member of UC women's basketball's 1,000-point club last season, Owens continues her climb up the Bearcats' all-time scoring list with 1,433 career points. After scoring 24 points at Temple on Feb. 21, she surpassed Debbie Merrill (2002-04) to move into 11th place. Owens is also marked in the Bearcats record book as third all-time in minutes played (4,167), third in free-throw percentage (.833), fifth in made 3-pointers (190), fifth in assists (392), and is tenth in games played with 119 – starting every game of her collegiate career.
As a team, UC is third in the conference in scoring margin (+6.0), rebounding margin (+4.3), assists per game (15.1), assist-to-turnover ratio (0.9), and defensive rebounds a contest (28.0). The Bearcats rank fourth in the league in scoring offense (68.0 ppg), field goal percentage (.426), and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.296). In addition, the Red & Black is fifth-best in scoring defense (62.0 ppg), free-throw percentage (.713), and field-goal percentage defense (.375).
Individually on the year, Thomas is tops in the AAC in field-goal percentage at 60.9 percent, with Rizor fifth at 57.1. Owens is second in the conference in free-throw percentage at 91.9 percent and is sixth with 3.9 assists a contest. Johnson is eighth-best in the league in steals with 2.1 a game. In addition, Goings is sixth in the league 3-point field-goal makes (2.2 3pg) and eighth 3-point field-goal percentage (.372).
// SCOUTING THE COUGARS
Houston (20-9, 9-6 AAC) fell just shy of a comeback bid, falling 64-59 in the regular season home finale, on Saturday, inside H&PE Arena. The Cougars had climbed their way back into the contest and trailed by just one point with 1:09 remaining, but UCF's Kornelia Wright rattled home a 3-pointer with the shot clock at zero. A video review to see if Wright shot in time was upheld to give the Knights the 4-point advantage. UH finished with two players in double figures, including a game-high 20 points from sophomore Jasmyne Harris. Angela Harris added 14 points, while Myyah West led the Cougars on the boards with seven rebounds.
For the season, Houston is led by J. Harris' 20.1 points per which is third in The American, while sophomore guard Angela Harris averages 14.7. In addition, junior guard Serithia Hawkins chips in 12.1 point per as well as a team-best and third in the AAC 8.1 rebounds a contest. A. Harris totals Cougars-highs of 3.7 assists and a conference-leading 3.0 steals each outing.
As a team, the Cougars are first in The American in 3-point field-goal percentage defense at 29.7 percent and steals at 11.6 per. UH averages 74.9 points a game and gives up 70.6. Houston gets outrebounded each game by nearly five rebounds on average, but knocks down 7.8 3-pointers per contest.
In the preseason, Houston was picked to finish 11th in the 12-team AAC.
// FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay connected with Bearcats Women's Basketball on Facebook (@GoBearcatsWBB), Twitter (@GoBearcatsWBB) and Instagram (@GoBearcatsWBB).
// MAJOR IMPLICATIONS
The winner of Monday's game will clinch the No. 4 seed in the upcoming 2018 Aaron's American Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Championship, March 3-6 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, and thus earn a first-round bye in the tournament. The Bearcats will learn of their tournament opponent upon conclusion of conference action on Monday.
// SENIOR NIGHT
Prior to the game on Monday, seniors Shanice Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara/Monroe CC) and Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) will be honored during a Senior Night ceremony. Owens has been a contributor from day one at the point guard position and Johnson has provided a spark for UC on both ends of the floor during her two seasons in Clifton.
// EXPERIENCE UC
The Bearcats' 2017-18 campaign will, again, be part of the Experience UC initiative which offers free admission to home games. Groups interested in attending can contact Assistant Director of Marketing & Branding Deborah Dixon at dixond9@ucmail.uc.edu for more information.
// TEMPORARY HOME(S)
Due to the current, $87-million renovation of Fifth Third Arena, the Bearcats will play all home contests off campus this year. In the regular season, UC will play two games at Cincinnati State – the Nov. 13 home opener against Slippery Rock and the Nov. 27 meeting with St. Francis (Pa.) – with the remaining games played at Saint Ursula Academy Gymnasium & Convocation Center (SUA).
// STUDENT SHUTTLE
UC students are invited to enjoy a free bus ride to the game. The bus will depart from the Bearcat statue on campus at 6 p.m. on Monday. Free student shuttles to home UC women's basketball games will continue throughout the season.
// GAME PROMOTIONS
In addition to free admission and pregame Senior Night festivities, early-arriving fans will receive a free, Bearcats-branded, Under Armour t-shirt. At halftime, there will be a presentation for a special fourth-grader through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Additionally, UCATS donors who helped contribute to the Fifth Third Arena and locker room renovation projects will also be recognized.
// THE SERIES
Monday's matchup will be the 24th all-time meeting between the two teams with UC dominating the series, 17-6. The Bearcats have won seven of the last eight matchups and are 7-2 in games played in Cincinnati. In the last matchup, the Red & Black snapped the Cougars' six-game winning streak with an 88-82 decision on Jan. 10 at H&PE Arena on the Texas Southern campus in Houston. Owens led the way in the victory with a season-high 27 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists. Sophomore forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) pitched in a career-best 18 points as well as eight rebounds. In addition, sophomore guard Sam Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East) and freshman forward IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) each added 11 points.
// LAST TIME OUT
UC (17-11, 9-6 AAC) suffered an 84-65 setback Saturday to the 18th-ranked USF Bulls inside the Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida.
Looking for a season-high five wins in a row, UC matched USF throughout the early portion of the opening quarter on the Bulls' Senior Night. The Bearcats then fell victim to USF surge to fall behind by eight points. The Red & Black responded with a 7-0 run to end the period to trail just 16-15 heading into the second. UC took the lead with 7:37 to go before halftime, but then saw the home team go on a 22-8 run to end the period -- including a 12-2 burst over the final three minutes -- to trail 43-30 at the break.
USF's momentum continued into the second half as it outscored the Red & Black 15-5 early in the third quarter to take control of the game. Facing a 70-45 deficit heading into the final period, the Bearcats did not quit and outscored USF, 10-5, over the first six minutes of the fourth to pull closer. UC's fight to the finish continued to the final horn with a 7-3 run to close the game.
Owens paced the Bearcats with 15 points as well as two rebounds and two assists. Sophomore guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) continued her strong play off the bench with 14 points to go along with six rebounds. Junior guard Nikira Goings (Marietta, Ga./Osborne) also reached double-figure scoring with 12 points.
// SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
With four double-figure scorers, Goings is leading UC in scoring with 12.0 points per game, while Owens adds 11.3, Thomas, 10.6, and Johnson, 10.2. Thomas averages a team best of 6.2 rebounds, while Johnson swipes a Bearcats-best 2.1 steals each contest. Owens' 3.9 assists per is a team high.
The Bearcats are continuing the momentum from last year's 16-14 campaign – their best season in a decade – and are striving for more. Currently sitting at 17-11 overall, UC's total wins matches when it went 17-12 in 2005-06. The Red & Black's next victory will tally its best mark since going 23-8 in 2002-03 in its last NCAA Tournament appearance. In addition, the Bearcats' current nine conference wins is their most since they won 11 in 2002-03 as a member of Conference USA.
After becoming the 26th member of UC women's basketball's 1,000-point club last season, Owens continues her climb up the Bearcats' all-time scoring list with 1,433 career points. After scoring 24 points at Temple on Feb. 21, she surpassed Debbie Merrill (2002-04) to move into 11th place. Owens is also marked in the Bearcats record book as third all-time in minutes played (4,167), third in free-throw percentage (.833), fifth in made 3-pointers (190), fifth in assists (392), and is tenth in games played with 119 – starting every game of her collegiate career.
As a team, UC is third in the conference in scoring margin (+6.0), rebounding margin (+4.3), assists per game (15.1), assist-to-turnover ratio (0.9), and defensive rebounds a contest (28.0). The Bearcats rank fourth in the league in scoring offense (68.0 ppg), field goal percentage (.426), and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.296). In addition, the Red & Black is fifth-best in scoring defense (62.0 ppg), free-throw percentage (.713), and field-goal percentage defense (.375).
Individually on the year, Thomas is tops in the AAC in field-goal percentage at 60.9 percent, with Rizor fifth at 57.1. Owens is second in the conference in free-throw percentage at 91.9 percent and is sixth with 3.9 assists a contest. Johnson is eighth-best in the league in steals with 2.1 a game. In addition, Goings is sixth in the league 3-point field-goal makes (2.2 3pg) and eighth 3-point field-goal percentage (.372).
// SCOUTING THE COUGARS
Houston (20-9, 9-6 AAC) fell just shy of a comeback bid, falling 64-59 in the regular season home finale, on Saturday, inside H&PE Arena. The Cougars had climbed their way back into the contest and trailed by just one point with 1:09 remaining, but UCF's Kornelia Wright rattled home a 3-pointer with the shot clock at zero. A video review to see if Wright shot in time was upheld to give the Knights the 4-point advantage. UH finished with two players in double figures, including a game-high 20 points from sophomore Jasmyne Harris. Angela Harris added 14 points, while Myyah West led the Cougars on the boards with seven rebounds.
For the season, Houston is led by J. Harris' 20.1 points per which is third in The American, while sophomore guard Angela Harris averages 14.7. In addition, junior guard Serithia Hawkins chips in 12.1 point per as well as a team-best and third in the AAC 8.1 rebounds a contest. A. Harris totals Cougars-highs of 3.7 assists and a conference-leading 3.0 steals each outing.
As a team, the Cougars are first in The American in 3-point field-goal percentage defense at 29.7 percent and steals at 11.6 per. UH averages 74.9 points a game and gives up 70.6. Houston gets outrebounded each game by nearly five rebounds on average, but knocks down 7.8 3-pointers per contest.
In the preseason, Houston was picked to finish 11th in the 12-team AAC.
// FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay connected with Bearcats Women's Basketball on Facebook (@GoBearcatsWBB), Twitter (@GoBearcatsWBB) and Instagram (@GoBearcatsWBB).