TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati women's basketball will take on the fourth-ranked UConn Huskies on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. at Gampel Pavilion.
// GOING LIVE
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3. A live audio stream will be available on Bearcats TV, while live stats can be accessed here.
// THE SERIES
Thursday will be the 22nd all-time meeting between the two teams with UConn holding a 21-0 series advantage. In the last matchup, the Bearcats played the Huskies tough, dropping a 65-55 decision at Fifth Third Arena on Feb. 2, 2019. In the close setback, UC outscored UConn 32-27 in the second half. Guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) recorded 13 points, a game-high-tying five assists, and five rebounds. In addition, forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) neared a double-double with a team-high 10 rebounds to go along with nine points.
// LAST TIME OUT
UC (13-6, 4-2 AAC) extended its home win streak to nine games Sunday afternoon with an 86-81 victory over the visiting Temple Owls at Fifth Third Arena. After an even first quarter (16-16), the Bearcats controlled the second quarter and took a 36-27 advantage into halftime. UC continued its surge in the third period, going up by as many as 17 points midway through. Armed with a 62-51 lead with 10 minutes left, the Red & Black saw the Owls get within four points on multiple occasions in the fourth quarter but finished strong to pick up the victory. Four UC players scored in double figures on the day with Miller posting a team-high 21 points -- including a fourth-quarter bucket which made her the 28th member of the program's 1,000-point club. Junior forward IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) continued her strong play with 19 points, while Rizor added 19 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high-tying and a game-best seven assists. Additionally, senior guard Sam Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East) notched her first career double-double with 13 points and a team and career-high 10 rebounds.
// SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Thomas picked up her third American Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of the Week award of the season – and the sixth of her career -- on Monday after averaging 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 70% shooting from the field last week as the Bearcats won back-to-back conference home games. She scored a career-high 35 points in an 85-66 win Wednesday against Houston. The forward also grabbed 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season. Thomas continued her strong play with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists Sunday against Temple. Thomas has collected weekly conference honors seven times in 2019-20. In addition, she was picked as Citizen Watch Naismith Trophy Women's Player of the Week and College Sports Madness National Player of the Week.
The Bearcats have created a formidable home-court advantage inside newly-renovated Fifth Third Arena with a 27-4 home record going back to last season. In total, the Red & Black boasts a 76% (51-16) winning percentage on their home floor over the last four seasons. Currently, UC has won nine-straight games at home, last coming up short on Nov. 13, 2019 vs. Ohio State.
On the season, Thomas is averaging an AAC-best 20.7 points per game, including 24.0 per in conference play. Her team-leading 8.7 rebounds each time out ranks as seventh-best in The American and her 61% shooting from the field – and 68% in league play – also ranks first in the conference. Furthermore on the season, she averages 3.8 offensive rebounds (3rd in AAC) and 81% free-throw shooting (4th in AAC). Nationally, the junior ranks in the top 10 in 2019-20 in made field goals (155) and among the top 15 in total points (393), points per game, and field-goal percentage.
Needing 10 points to reach 1,000 for her career, Thomas posted 21 points on Dec. 30 against Coppin State to become the 27th member of the UC women's basketball 1,000-point club. Now with 1,155 career points, Thomas currently ranks 19th on the all-time scoring list and is climbing. The junior is the latest Bearcats 1,000-point scorer with guard Ana Owens the next most recent after reaching the milestone in 2017.
Miller has had a strong senior season to date. After a stellar start to the year, highlighted by six-straight games of double-figure scoring, she was sidelined for four games with injury. Now again in the lineup and back to her usual workload, the senior scored a career-high 27 points at Memphis on Jan. 8 and added team highs of 20 and 21 points, respectively, against Tulane on Jan. 18 and Temple on Jan. 26, among other solid performances. In league play, she is posting 20.2 points each outing, which is third-best in The American, and 4.3 assists per. She recently became the 28th member of the program's 1,000-point club.
Following a career day of 20 points and five steals in the Crosstown Shootout at Xavier on Dec. 14, Rizor was picked for the AAC Weekly Honor Roll on Dec. 16. A week prior, the forward was named to the AAC weekly honor roll after averaging 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game as the Bearcats went 2-0. The senior currently is 22nd in the conference in scoring (11.3 PPG) and 14th in rebounding (6.3 RPG). She is also second in the league in free-throw shooting (84.2%) and seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5).
On the heels of back-to-back impressive showings, Rodgers was picked for the AAC Weekly Honor Roll on Monday, Dec. 23. She collected the honor after averaging 15.5 points, 57.1% shooting (5-of-9) from 3-point range, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals in helping UC to a pair of wins on the week. The weekly league honor was Rodgers' first of this season and the second of her career. For the season, the Cincinnati native is averaging 8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals a contest. In addition, her assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7) is sixth-best in the AAC, while her 36.5 minutes each outing is second-most in the league.
UC's 86-40 defeat of Coppin State on Dec. 30 was the Bearcats' largest margin of victory since Dec. 4, 1982 when they defeated Carlow 101-24 on a neutral floor in Pittsburgh. The win also capped a perfect 6-0 record during the month of December. The last time UC recorded a perfect month of competition came in 2011 when they started the season with a 5-0 record during November.
UC's 98-point scoring output vs. Miami (OH) on Dec. 8 was the most since tallying 96 at home vs. Valparaiso (96-69) on Nov. 16, 2007. The last time the Bearcats scored more than 98 was in 2003 when they netted 105 vs. Charleston Southern. UC's record scoring output is 109 at Marquette in 1992.
Announced at AAC Basketball Media Day on Oct. 14, UC was selected to finish in a tie for third in the 12-team league. In addition, Miller and Thomas were both tabbed for the preseason all-conference second team. Chosen by the league's head coaches, the predicted finish is the highest the Bearcats have ever received in their seven years in The American, while the preseason all-conference accolades are the first since Alyesha Lovett received second team all-AAC honors in 2014.
UC will aim to continue the momentum from last year's historic season which included consecutive postseason wins for the first time in program history (WNIT quarterfinals), first 20-win season (24) since 2003, first time with 12 conference wins since 1999, and highest-ever finish in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) (third place).
// SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
UConn (18-1, 8-0 AAC) dropped a 79-64 exhibition decision to the U.S. Women's National Team on Monday at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Previously, the Huskies beat ECU 98-42 in Greenville, North Carolina on Jan. 25. Sophomore guard Christyn Williams scored 26 points, while junior forward Megan Walker had 15 points and 12 rebounds in the win. On the season, Walker averages team bests of 19.6 points and 8.8 rebounds, while a trio of teammates joins her with double-figure scoring: Williams (16.0 PPG), senior guard Crystal Dangerfield (15.2 PPG), and sophomore forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10.9 PPG). As a team, the Huskies shoot 47% from the floor and outrebound their opponents by nearly 10 boards a game. In the preseason, UConn was again picked to win the conference with Dangerfield tabbed co-player of the year, while Walker and Williams were first and second team all-league selections, respectively.
// TICKET INFO
Single-game tickets for the 2019-20 UC women's basketball season are on sale now. General admission tickets for most games are available at $7, while Champions Club tickets are $10. Season tickets are on sale starting at just $50.
// GET CONNECTED
Stay up to date with the team by following the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @GoBearcatsWBB.
// GOING LIVE
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3. A live audio stream will be available on Bearcats TV, while live stats can be accessed here.
// THE SERIES
Thursday will be the 22nd all-time meeting between the two teams with UConn holding a 21-0 series advantage. In the last matchup, the Bearcats played the Huskies tough, dropping a 65-55 decision at Fifth Third Arena on Feb. 2, 2019. In the close setback, UC outscored UConn 32-27 in the second half. Guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) recorded 13 points, a game-high-tying five assists, and five rebounds. In addition, forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) neared a double-double with a team-high 10 rebounds to go along with nine points.
// LAST TIME OUT
UC (13-6, 4-2 AAC) extended its home win streak to nine games Sunday afternoon with an 86-81 victory over the visiting Temple Owls at Fifth Third Arena. After an even first quarter (16-16), the Bearcats controlled the second quarter and took a 36-27 advantage into halftime. UC continued its surge in the third period, going up by as many as 17 points midway through. Armed with a 62-51 lead with 10 minutes left, the Red & Black saw the Owls get within four points on multiple occasions in the fourth quarter but finished strong to pick up the victory. Four UC players scored in double figures on the day with Miller posting a team-high 21 points -- including a fourth-quarter bucket which made her the 28th member of the program's 1,000-point club. Junior forward IImar'I Thomas (Oakland, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep) continued her strong play with 19 points, while Rizor added 19 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high-tying and a game-best seven assists. Additionally, senior guard Sam Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East) notched her first career double-double with 13 points and a team and career-high 10 rebounds.
// SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Thomas picked up her third American Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of the Week award of the season – and the sixth of her career -- on Monday after averaging 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 70% shooting from the field last week as the Bearcats won back-to-back conference home games. She scored a career-high 35 points in an 85-66 win Wednesday against Houston. The forward also grabbed 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season. Thomas continued her strong play with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists Sunday against Temple. Thomas has collected weekly conference honors seven times in 2019-20. In addition, she was picked as Citizen Watch Naismith Trophy Women's Player of the Week and College Sports Madness National Player of the Week.
The Bearcats have created a formidable home-court advantage inside newly-renovated Fifth Third Arena with a 27-4 home record going back to last season. In total, the Red & Black boasts a 76% (51-16) winning percentage on their home floor over the last four seasons. Currently, UC has won nine-straight games at home, last coming up short on Nov. 13, 2019 vs. Ohio State.
On the season, Thomas is averaging an AAC-best 20.7 points per game, including 24.0 per in conference play. Her team-leading 8.7 rebounds each time out ranks as seventh-best in The American and her 61% shooting from the field – and 68% in league play – also ranks first in the conference. Furthermore on the season, she averages 3.8 offensive rebounds (3rd in AAC) and 81% free-throw shooting (4th in AAC). Nationally, the junior ranks in the top 10 in 2019-20 in made field goals (155) and among the top 15 in total points (393), points per game, and field-goal percentage.
Needing 10 points to reach 1,000 for her career, Thomas posted 21 points on Dec. 30 against Coppin State to become the 27th member of the UC women's basketball 1,000-point club. Now with 1,155 career points, Thomas currently ranks 19th on the all-time scoring list and is climbing. The junior is the latest Bearcats 1,000-point scorer with guard Ana Owens the next most recent after reaching the milestone in 2017.
Miller has had a strong senior season to date. After a stellar start to the year, highlighted by six-straight games of double-figure scoring, she was sidelined for four games with injury. Now again in the lineup and back to her usual workload, the senior scored a career-high 27 points at Memphis on Jan. 8 and added team highs of 20 and 21 points, respectively, against Tulane on Jan. 18 and Temple on Jan. 26, among other solid performances. In league play, she is posting 20.2 points each outing, which is third-best in The American, and 4.3 assists per. She recently became the 28th member of the program's 1,000-point club.
Following a career day of 20 points and five steals in the Crosstown Shootout at Xavier on Dec. 14, Rizor was picked for the AAC Weekly Honor Roll on Dec. 16. A week prior, the forward was named to the AAC weekly honor roll after averaging 15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game as the Bearcats went 2-0. The senior currently is 22nd in the conference in scoring (11.3 PPG) and 14th in rebounding (6.3 RPG). She is also second in the league in free-throw shooting (84.2%) and seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.5).
On the heels of back-to-back impressive showings, Rodgers was picked for the AAC Weekly Honor Roll on Monday, Dec. 23. She collected the honor after averaging 15.5 points, 57.1% shooting (5-of-9) from 3-point range, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals in helping UC to a pair of wins on the week. The weekly league honor was Rodgers' first of this season and the second of her career. For the season, the Cincinnati native is averaging 8.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals a contest. In addition, her assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7) is sixth-best in the AAC, while her 36.5 minutes each outing is second-most in the league.
UC's 86-40 defeat of Coppin State on Dec. 30 was the Bearcats' largest margin of victory since Dec. 4, 1982 when they defeated Carlow 101-24 on a neutral floor in Pittsburgh. The win also capped a perfect 6-0 record during the month of December. The last time UC recorded a perfect month of competition came in 2011 when they started the season with a 5-0 record during November.
UC's 98-point scoring output vs. Miami (OH) on Dec. 8 was the most since tallying 96 at home vs. Valparaiso (96-69) on Nov. 16, 2007. The last time the Bearcats scored more than 98 was in 2003 when they netted 105 vs. Charleston Southern. UC's record scoring output is 109 at Marquette in 1992.
Announced at AAC Basketball Media Day on Oct. 14, UC was selected to finish in a tie for third in the 12-team league. In addition, Miller and Thomas were both tabbed for the preseason all-conference second team. Chosen by the league's head coaches, the predicted finish is the highest the Bearcats have ever received in their seven years in The American, while the preseason all-conference accolades are the first since Alyesha Lovett received second team all-AAC honors in 2014.
UC will aim to continue the momentum from last year's historic season which included consecutive postseason wins for the first time in program history (WNIT quarterfinals), first 20-win season (24) since 2003, first time with 12 conference wins since 1999, and highest-ever finish in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) (third place).
// SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
UConn (18-1, 8-0 AAC) dropped a 79-64 exhibition decision to the U.S. Women's National Team on Monday at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Previously, the Huskies beat ECU 98-42 in Greenville, North Carolina on Jan. 25. Sophomore guard Christyn Williams scored 26 points, while junior forward Megan Walker had 15 points and 12 rebounds in the win. On the season, Walker averages team bests of 19.6 points and 8.8 rebounds, while a trio of teammates joins her with double-figure scoring: Williams (16.0 PPG), senior guard Crystal Dangerfield (15.2 PPG), and sophomore forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10.9 PPG). As a team, the Huskies shoot 47% from the floor and outrebound their opponents by nearly 10 boards a game. In the preseason, UConn was again picked to win the conference with Dangerfield tabbed co-player of the year, while Walker and Williams were first and second team all-league selections, respectively.
// TICKET INFO
Single-game tickets for the 2019-20 UC women's basketball season are on sale now. General admission tickets for most games are available at $7, while Champions Club tickets are $10. Season tickets are on sale starting at just $50.
// GET CONNECTED
Stay up to date with the team by following the Bearcats on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @GoBearcatsWBB.