CINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati women's basketball kept its home winning streak alive Sunday with a 60-55 comeback victory over the USF Bulls at Fifth Third Arena.
Looking to bounce back from Thursday's setback at No. 4 UConn, the Bearcats (14-7, 5-3 AAC) overcame a 13 point second-quarter deficit with a dominant final period in which they outscored the Bulls (13-9, 5-3 AAC) 15-5 to pick up their 10th-consecutive win inside Fifth Third Arena.
Senior forward Angel Rizor (Zebulon, N.C./East Wake) led the way for UC with 16 points – including eight in the fourth quarter – to go along with six rebounds and two blocks. Senior guard Antoinette Miller (Detroit, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) continued her stellar play with 14 points, five assists, and a career-high eight steals, while senior guard Sam Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East) added 10 points and three assists.
The Red & Black started slow, falling behind 19-13 after one quarter. USF again had the upper hand in the second period and took a 32-23 advantage into the halftime break. UC regrouped in the locker room and came out energized in the third quarter, whittling its deficit down to as little as three points. Facing a 50-45 hole with 10 minutes to go, the Bearcats battled back to take their first lead of the game at the 4:33 mark of the fourth quarter. Down the stretch, UC was able to outnumber USF, scoring the last five points of the game over the final 2:06 to keep its home streak alive.
The Bearcats scored 28 points in the paint and forced a season-best 31 turnovers – scoring 16 points off these miscues. The home team also dished out 13 assists on 25 made field goals and buried 10-of-16 from the free-throw line. Moreover, the Red & Black swiped 15 steals and blocked three shots.
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The Bearcats will travel to Dallas, Texas to take on the SMU Mustangs on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. ET at Moody Coliseum.
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