TicketsTAMPA, Fla. - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team pushed No. 12 USF into overtime before falling 69-65 Wednesday at the Yuengling Center.
IImar'I Thomas and Caitlyn Wilson came alive in the second half and nearly pulled off UC's first win over a ranked opponent since a 65-62 victory over No. 24 Marquette during the 2010-11 campaign.
Thomas, the American Athletic Conference Co-Preseason Player of the Year, tallied 14 of her team-high 23 points after halftime. She finished 8 of 17 from the field with six rebounds and seven assists.
Wilson scored all of her 18 points in the second half, including eight in the third quarter on a pair of 3-pointers.
USF registered three players in double figures led by Sydni Harvey's 23 points and three 3-pointers. Bethy Mununga posted 19 points and a game-best 14 rebounds. Elisa Pinzan had 11 points and nine assists.
UC went toe-to-toe with USF in a game that included 10 ties and 18 lead changes. Wilson's second 3-pointer of the third quarter gave UC a 31-29 advantage at 3:51 and the Bearcats never trailed the rest of the period.
After a layup by Mununga gave USF a 42-41 lead at 7:13 in the fourth quarter, UC again regained the lead when Wilson made a trio of free throws after being fouled while attempting a 3-pointer. Thomas then scored on a layup to give the Bearcats a 46-42 lead at 6:02.
A 3-pointer from Arame Niang gave UC its largest lead of the game at 52-47 with 4:38 left in regulation.
After Wilson made a layup with 2:48 left to give the Bearcats a 56-52 lead, Pinzan hit a jumper and Mununga converted a layup at 1:33 tie the game at 56-56 and eventually force overtime.
UC held a 65-64 lead with 1:26 left in overtime when Thomas found Jada Scott for a layup inside.
However, Mununga made a pair of free throws on USF's next possession and scored on a layup inside to give the Bulls a 68-65 lead en route to their 11 consecutive win.
USF scored 15 points off 16 UC turnovers and went 20 of 29 from the foul line, including 9 of 12 in overtime.
UC limited USF to 30 percent shooting in the first half, including 1-of-14 shooting from 3-point range, and trailed 24-23 at intermission.
Milan Schimmel, playing in her first game since Jan. 2, scored six points on 3 of 8 shooting for the Bearcats.
UP NEXT
UC plays host to Houston on Saturday at Fifth Third Arena. Tipoff is 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Bearcats will salute IImar'I Thomas and Addaya Moore during Senior Day ceremonies following the game.
IImar'I Thomas and Caitlyn Wilson came alive in the second half and nearly pulled off UC's first win over a ranked opponent since a 65-62 victory over No. 24 Marquette during the 2010-11 campaign.
Thomas, the American Athletic Conference Co-Preseason Player of the Year, tallied 14 of her team-high 23 points after halftime. She finished 8 of 17 from the field with six rebounds and seven assists.
Wilson scored all of her 18 points in the second half, including eight in the third quarter on a pair of 3-pointers.
USF registered three players in double figures led by Sydni Harvey's 23 points and three 3-pointers. Bethy Mununga posted 19 points and a game-best 14 rebounds. Elisa Pinzan had 11 points and nine assists.
UC went toe-to-toe with USF in a game that included 10 ties and 18 lead changes. Wilson's second 3-pointer of the third quarter gave UC a 31-29 advantage at 3:51 and the Bearcats never trailed the rest of the period.
After a layup by Mununga gave USF a 42-41 lead at 7:13 in the fourth quarter, UC again regained the lead when Wilson made a trio of free throws after being fouled while attempting a 3-pointer. Thomas then scored on a layup to give the Bearcats a 46-42 lead at 6:02.
A 3-pointer from Arame Niang gave UC its largest lead of the game at 52-47 with 4:38 left in regulation.
After Wilson made a layup with 2:48 left to give the Bearcats a 56-52 lead, Pinzan hit a jumper and Mununga converted a layup at 1:33 tie the game at 56-56 and eventually force overtime.
UC held a 65-64 lead with 1:26 left in overtime when Thomas found Jada Scott for a layup inside.
However, Mununga made a pair of free throws on USF's next possession and scored on a layup inside to give the Bulls a 68-65 lead en route to their 11 consecutive win.
USF scored 15 points off 16 UC turnovers and went 20 of 29 from the foul line, including 9 of 12 in overtime.
UC limited USF to 30 percent shooting in the first half, including 1-of-14 shooting from 3-point range, and trailed 24-23 at intermission.
Milan Schimmel, playing in her first game since Jan. 2, scored six points on 3 of 8 shooting for the Bearcats.
UP NEXT
UC plays host to Houston on Saturday at Fifth Third Arena. Tipoff is 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Bearcats will salute IImar'I Thomas and Addaya Moore during Senior Day ceremonies following the game.