TicketsWICHITA, Kan. – In a game that featured seven ties and 16 lead changes, University of Cincinnati women's basketball overcame a late deficit to best the Wichita State Shockers, 75-69, on Wednesday night inside Charles Koch Arena.
With the victory, the Bearcats moved to 14-10 on the year and 6-5 in American Athletic Conference play. Meanwhile, the Shockers dropped their third-straight game and fell to 10-15 overall and 5-6 in league action.
Looking to halt a three-game losing streak, UC was hot from the field to start with five 3-pointers in the first quarter, including four by junior guard Nikira Goings (Marietta, Ga./Osborne). The Red & Black took a 24-15 advantage into the second quarter and led by a game-high 12 points with nine minutes to go before halftime. The Shockers responded with a 21-8 run over eight minutes to take its first lead of the game, 36-35, with 1:52 to play. UC answered with a 7-0 streak to end the period to take a 42-36 lead into the halftime break.
The third quarter was back and forth with multiple ties and lead changes. The Bearcats were outscored, 19-14, in the period, but took a 56-55 advantage into the final quarter. Up by three with 8:35 left, the Red & Black fell victim to a 6-0 WSU burst as the home team took its largest lead of the game, 63-60. UC battled back with an 8-0 run to take a five-point lead, 68-63, with 4:38 remaining. The Shockers manufactured a 5-0 run to tie the game at 68 with 1:27 to go. With WSU possessing a one-point lead with under a minute to play, senior guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) nailed a 3-pointer – her first points of the game – to put UC up 71-69 with 43 second left. The Bearcats stayed solid down the stretch to pull out a gritty, 75-69, win on the road.
Goings poured in a career-best 26 points, including five makes from behind the 3-point arc. Freshman forward IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) added 14 points and five rebounds. Sophomore guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) chipped in nine points and three assists, while senior forward Shanice Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara/Monroe CC) contributed seven points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. Owens scored five points – all of which in the final 43 seconds of the game.
UC shot the ball from the field at a 51-percent clip and knocked down eight triples. The Red & Black was also efficient from the free-throw line at 15-of-19. The Bearcats reserves chipped in 29 points on the night.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will return to the friendly confines of Saint Ursula Academy Gymnasium & Convocation Center on Saturday, Feb. 10 for a 1 p.m. tipoff against the Tulane Green Wave. Admission to the game will be free of charge as part of the season-long Experience UC initiative. Attending fans are encouraged to wear red for the annual Wear Red game.
With the victory, the Bearcats moved to 14-10 on the year and 6-5 in American Athletic Conference play. Meanwhile, the Shockers dropped their third-straight game and fell to 10-15 overall and 5-6 in league action.
Looking to halt a three-game losing streak, UC was hot from the field to start with five 3-pointers in the first quarter, including four by junior guard Nikira Goings (Marietta, Ga./Osborne). The Red & Black took a 24-15 advantage into the second quarter and led by a game-high 12 points with nine minutes to go before halftime. The Shockers responded with a 21-8 run over eight minutes to take its first lead of the game, 36-35, with 1:52 to play. UC answered with a 7-0 streak to end the period to take a 42-36 lead into the halftime break.
The third quarter was back and forth with multiple ties and lead changes. The Bearcats were outscored, 19-14, in the period, but took a 56-55 advantage into the final quarter. Up by three with 8:35 left, the Red & Black fell victim to a 6-0 WSU burst as the home team took its largest lead of the game, 63-60. UC battled back with an 8-0 run to take a five-point lead, 68-63, with 4:38 remaining. The Shockers manufactured a 5-0 run to tie the game at 68 with 1:27 to go. With WSU possessing a one-point lead with under a minute to play, senior guard Ana Owens (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) nailed a 3-pointer – her first points of the game – to put UC up 71-69 with 43 second left. The Bearcats stayed solid down the stretch to pull out a gritty, 75-69, win on the road.
Goings poured in a career-best 26 points, including five makes from behind the 3-point arc. Freshman forward IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) added 14 points and five rebounds. Sophomore guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) chipped in nine points and three assists, while senior forward Shanice Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara/Monroe CC) contributed seven points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. Owens scored five points – all of which in the final 43 seconds of the game.
UC shot the ball from the field at a 51-percent clip and knocked down eight triples. The Red & Black was also efficient from the free-throw line at 15-of-19. The Bearcats reserves chipped in 29 points on the night.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will return to the friendly confines of Saint Ursula Academy Gymnasium & Convocation Center on Saturday, Feb. 10 for a 1 p.m. tipoff against the Tulane Green Wave. Admission to the game will be free of charge as part of the season-long Experience UC initiative. Attending fans are encouraged to wear red for the annual Wear Red game.