TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati women's basketball outmatched the Miami (OH) RedHawks with a 98-68 victory Sunday at Fifth Third Arena.
UC's scoring output was the most since tallying 96 at home vs. Valparaiso (96-69) on Nov. 16, 2007.
With all 12 UC players that played reaching the scoring column, junior forward IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) led the way with a game-best 24 points -- as well as eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks – for her fourth 20-point game of the season. Senior forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) tied a career high with 18 points to go along with seven rebounds and two assists. In addition, senior guard Florence Sifa (Bujumbura, Burundi/Jacksonville College) chipped in season highs of 10 points and four assists, while redshirt sophomore Addaya Moore (Granite City, Ill./Granite City/Illinois) stuffed the stat sheet with season bests of eight points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
UC (5-4) started the game energized, scoring the first seven points and took a 23-16 advantage into the second quarter. In the following period, Miami (4-5) faced a 16-point deficit, but responded with an 11-0 run to trail by just five with 3:33 to go before halftime. The Bearcats answered with a late-first-half surge to go up 42-31 at the break.
The Red & Black stormed out of the locker room, pushing its lead to 20 (57-37) midway through the third quarter. In total, the home team outpaced the visitors 24-14 in the period to hold a 66-45 advantage with 10 minutes remaining. In the final stanza, UC stayed in control, maintaining a 20-point advantage throughout before its reserves widened the gap to 30 down the stretch.
The Bearcats had their best shooting day of the season, firing at a 57% (41-of-72) clip from the field. UC also buried five 3-pointers and knocked down 11-of-14 from the free-throw line. The Red & Black had its way in the paint, scoring a season-best 60 points and grabbing 47 rebounds. Furthermore, the home team's 16 offensive boards were converted into 22 second-chance points and it notched additional season highs with 33 fast-break points and 30 bench points.
// UP NEXT
UC will have nearly seven days off during finals week before returning to action on Saturday, Dec. 14 when it travels 3.5 miles to Xavier to face the Musketeers in the 2019 edition of the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. Buy tickets to the game here.
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