TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati women's basketball dropped a 78-73 overtime thriller to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Arena.
UC (1-2) used a 9-3 run over the final five minutes of the fourth quarter to force overtime against OSU (2-0), 62-62. In the extra period, the Bearcats took a one-point lead with 2:49 to go, but saw the Buckeyes end the game on a 10-4 run to put away the home team, 78-73.
The first quarter between the in-state rivals was back and forth with the Buckeyes edging the Bearcats, 18-16. In the second, UC used an 8-0 run to accumulate its largest lead of the game, 26-20, with five minutes to go before halftime. The visitors responded with a 15-0 run and took a 35-29 advantage into the break.
Cincinnati had the advantage in the third quarter, outscoring the Buckeyes 22-17 to pull within one, 52-51, going into the fourth. In the final stanza of regulation, the Bearcats fell behind by six points before staging their aforementioned comeback to send the game into an extra segment.
The Red & Black were led by junior forward IImar'I Thomas' (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) career-high 25 points, to go along with 12 rebounds. Senior guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) scored 20 or more points for the sixth-straight game, dating back to last season, with 20 on the night. Senior forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) recorded her second double-double of the season with a game-high-tying 12 rebounds coupled with 10 points.
UC scored 40 points in the paint, turned 21 OSU turnovers into 26 points, converted 22 offensive rebounds into 16 points, and knocked down a season-high 21 free throws.
// UP NEXT
UC will continue its homestand Saturday, Nov. 16 when it welcomes Ball State to Fifth Third Arena for a 2 p.m. tipoff. Buy tickets to the game here.
// GET CONNECTED
Stay up to date with the team by following the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @GoBearcatsWBB.