TicketsCINCINNATI – IImar'I Thomas had her 10th 20-point game of the season in the University of Cincinnati's 61-52 loss to Memphis in American Athletic Conference women's basketball action at Fifth Third Arena on Wednesday night.
Thomas played all 40 minutes, scoring 24 while dishing out eight assists with three steals and two blocks. She crossed the 20-point plateau for the 10th time in 12 games and was just shy of her fourth double-double in the last six games, finishing with a team-best nine boards.
Cincinnati (3-9, 2-6 AAC), who has been bitten by the injury bug of late, was without starting guard Destiny Haymer, who had posted double-digit points in three of her last four games.
Memphis (3-7, 1-4 AAC) took control of the game in the second quarter, starting on a 9-0 run over the first three minutes and closing with a 9-2 stretch to hold a nine-point halftime edge. The Bearcats pulled it down to five late in the third quarter but weren't able to edge any closer and Memphis ended their five-game losing streak.
Dulcy Mendjiadeu Fankam led the Tigers with 17 points and 14 rebounds while Alana Davis added 14 points and seven boards. Aerial Wilson scored 10 points and dished out seven assists.
Jillian Hayes poured in 11 to go along with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Sofia Gritzali scored eight points, grabbed three rebounds and had two steals and two assists.
Memphis hit six of its last eight shots to lead 34-25 at the break. The Tigers outscored UC 23-8 in the second frame after the Bearcats held a 17-11 lead after the opening quarter. Thomas led all players with 13 first-half points.
UP NEXT
The Bearcats play host to Wichita State on Wednesday, Jan. 27 inside Fifth Third Arena. Tipoff is 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's basketball, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati WBB (@GoBearcatsWBB) and Head Coach Michelle Clark-Heard (@CoachHeard) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.
Thomas played all 40 minutes, scoring 24 while dishing out eight assists with three steals and two blocks. She crossed the 20-point plateau for the 10th time in 12 games and was just shy of her fourth double-double in the last six games, finishing with a team-best nine boards.
Cincinnati (3-9, 2-6 AAC), who has been bitten by the injury bug of late, was without starting guard Destiny Haymer, who had posted double-digit points in three of her last four games.
Memphis (3-7, 1-4 AAC) took control of the game in the second quarter, starting on a 9-0 run over the first three minutes and closing with a 9-2 stretch to hold a nine-point halftime edge. The Bearcats pulled it down to five late in the third quarter but weren't able to edge any closer and Memphis ended their five-game losing streak.
Dulcy Mendjiadeu Fankam led the Tigers with 17 points and 14 rebounds while Alana Davis added 14 points and seven boards. Aerial Wilson scored 10 points and dished out seven assists.
Jillian Hayes poured in 11 to go along with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Sofia Gritzali scored eight points, grabbed three rebounds and had two steals and two assists.
Memphis hit six of its last eight shots to lead 34-25 at the break. The Tigers outscored UC 23-8 in the second frame after the Bearcats held a 17-11 lead after the opening quarter. Thomas led all players with 13 first-half points.
UP NEXT
The Bearcats play host to Wichita State on Wednesday, Jan. 27 inside Fifth Third Arena. Tipoff is 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's basketball, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow Cincinnati WBB (@GoBearcatsWBB) and Head Coach Michelle Clark-Heard (@CoachHeard) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.