TicketsUNCASVILLE, Conn. – In the semifinals of the 2018 Aaron's American Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Championship, the No. 4 seed University of Cincinnati women's basketball Bearcats were dealt a 75-21 defeat by the top-seeded UConn Huskies on Monday night inside Mohegan Sun Arena.
With the loss, the Bearcats had their two-game winning streak snapped, and dropped to 19-12 on the year – their best season since the 2002-03 squad went 23-8 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, UConn remained unblemished at 31-0, advancing to its fifth-straight AAC Championship final.
UC earned the right to face the nation's best team with a thrilling, 66-65 American quarterfinals win last night against Tulsa. In its first-ever AAC Championship semifinals appearance, the Red & Black fell behind early and was unable to recover. The Bearcats did finish the game strong, edging the Huskies, 10-9 in the fourth quarter.
Freshman forward Andeija Puckett (Griffin, Ga./Griffin) showed well off the bench with five points and three rebounds. Sophomore guard Sam Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East) contributed a team-high-tying five rebounds to go along with three points, two assists, and a steal. AAC Freshman of the Year IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) and sophomore guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) combined for nine rebounds with five and four, respectively.
// UP NEXT
UC will be watching closely when the Postseason WNIT selects its field on Monday, March 12. The 64-team tournament will have 32 at-large selections. Any team considered for an at-large berth must have an overall record of .500 or better. The WNIT begins play on Wednesday, March 14.
With the loss, the Bearcats had their two-game winning streak snapped, and dropped to 19-12 on the year – their best season since the 2002-03 squad went 23-8 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, UConn remained unblemished at 31-0, advancing to its fifth-straight AAC Championship final.
UC earned the right to face the nation's best team with a thrilling, 66-65 American quarterfinals win last night against Tulsa. In its first-ever AAC Championship semifinals appearance, the Red & Black fell behind early and was unable to recover. The Bearcats did finish the game strong, edging the Huskies, 10-9 in the fourth quarter.
Freshman forward Andeija Puckett (Griffin, Ga./Griffin) showed well off the bench with five points and three rebounds. Sophomore guard Sam Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East) contributed a team-high-tying five rebounds to go along with three points, two assists, and a steal. AAC Freshman of the Year IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) and sophomore guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) combined for nine rebounds with five and four, respectively.
// UP NEXT
UC will be watching closely when the Postseason WNIT selects its field on Monday, March 12. The 64-team tournament will have 32 at-large selections. Any team considered for an at-large berth must have an overall record of .500 or better. The WNIT begins play on Wednesday, March 14.