TicketsRICHMOND, Va. – University of Cincinnati women's basketball pulled out a dramatic, last-second win Thursday night with a 58-56 triumph over the VCU Rams at the Siegel Center.
Down 56-54 with 14 seconds remaining in the game, freshman Chellia Watson (Winder, Ga./Winder-Barrow) drained a jumper just outside the lane to tie the game at 56 with three seconds to go. Subsequently, pressure from the UC (4-4) defense on the Rams (3-5) inbounds pass forced a turnover as senior forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) gathered the ball and buried a buzzer beater a step inside the 3-point line to give the Bearcats the win.
Junior forward IImar'I Thomas' (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) led the Red & Black with 16 points and six rebounds, while Rizor added 13 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists. In addition, Watson chipped in 10 points, while senior Florence Sifa (Bujumbura, Burundi/Jacksonville College) contributed seven points and a pair of steals.
The two teams battled early on with the home squad edging the visitors 14-12 after one quarter. UC had the upper hand in the second period, outscoring the Rams 12-10 to tie the game at 24 at the half. VCU separated in the third, using a 7-1 run to lead 41-35 with 3:21 left in the stanza and proceeded to outscore the Bearcats 22-18 in the segment.
Facing a 46-42 deficit with 10 minutes to go, the Red & Black rallied, later taking a 54-52 lead with 1:19 to play. After the Rams responded down the stretch to take a 56-54 advantage with seconds to play, the stage was set for UC's late-game heroics.
The Bearcats scored 34 points in the paint, converted 19 VCU turnovers into 25 points, and outscored the home team 16-10 in the final quarter. Furthermore, the Red & Black shot the ball at a 45% clip (21-of-47) for the game and buried 14 of 17 free throws.
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UC will have a quick turnaround to welcome the Miami Redhawks to Fifth Third Arena on Sunday, Dec. 8 for a 2 p.m. tipoff. Buy tickets to the game here.
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