TicketsCINCINNATI – Behind six double-figure scorers, University of Cincinnati women's basketball overpowered the Memphis Tigers, 80-56, on Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena.
The Bearcats (13-7, 5-2 AAC) had the upper hand each quarter, but really took it to the Tigers (8-11, 3-3 AAC) in the second and fourth quarters with a combined 39-22 scoring advantage in the triumph.
Sophomore forward IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) led the way with 19 points on 9-of-9 shooting from the field. Thomas was joined in double figures by junior guard Sam Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East) who scored 14 points, sophomore forward Andeija Puckett (Grffin, Ga./Griffin) who added 12 points off the bench, junior guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) who chipped in 11 points, while juniors Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) and Florence Sifa (Bujumbura, Burundi/Jacksonville College) both contributed 10 points. In addition, Rodgers notched six rebounds and five assists, Miller dished out a career-high 12 assists, and Sifa recorded four rebounds and three assists.
UC started fast, accumulating a 9-4 advantage four minutes into the game. U of M answered with a 10-0 run to pull ahead, 14-9, with 1:49 left in the first quarter. The Red & Black fought back with a 9-0 streak to end the quarter to take an 18-14 surplus into the second. The Bearcats' burst continued into the next period, scoring the first eight points to lead, 26-14. UC increased its advantage to as many as 16 points late in the stanza and took a 37-24 cushion into the halftime break.
Out of the locker room, the Red & Black saw the Tigers pull within eight, 40-32, with 7:01 left in the third quarter. The Red & Black then responded with a 6-0 burst to get back in the driver's seat. After advancing to take a 60-44 lead at the end of three, UC put U of M away in the fourth period with a 15-6 surge to go up 75-50. The Bearcats even increased their lead to as many as 28 points late in the quarter as they rolled to victory.
The Red & Black shot the ball solid at 49-percent from the field and knocked down a season-high nine 3-pointers. The home team also dominated in the paint with 48 points and scored 15 second-chance points off of 12 offensive rebounds. Additionally, UC dished out a season-high-tying 24 assists, got out on the break for 17 points in transition, and had its reserves chip in 26 bench points.
// UP NEXT
UC will head south to face the USF Bulls on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. inside Yuengling Center. The game will be broadcast live on the American Digital Network.
// SINGLE-GAME TICKET INFO
Single-game tickets for the 2018-19 season are on sale now. General admission tickets are available at just $5, while Champions Club tickets are $7. Discounts for youth (ages 4-12) and seniors (ages 65+) include $3 general admission tickets and $5 Champions Club tickets. Tickets can be purchased by either calling 1-877-CATS-TIX, logging onto GoBEARCATS.com/Tickets, or by visiting the Fifth Third Arena ticket office on gameday.
// SEASON TICKET INFO
Catch the exciting start of the Michelle Clark-Heard era and the reopening of Fifth Third Arena by purchasing your season tickets now! The prices for standard Bearcats season tickets are $65 for adults and $50 for youth, seniors, UC faculty and staff and current or former military members. Courtside season tickets are on sale for $100. Click here for more information on season tickets. Click here to purchase today.