THREE IN A ROW: Bearcats Win at Houston, 65-57

HOUSTON - Fresh off national player of the week recognition, IImar'I Thomas poured in 30 points and six assists while Caitlyn Wilson hit four 3-pointers for 12 points as Cincinnati (7-15, 6-12 American) won its third consecutive game with a 65-57 victory over Houston (15-6, 12-5) on Tuesday at the Fertitta Center.
 
Thomas, who was tabbed the United State Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Player of the Week earlier Tuesday for her 51-point game at East Carolina last week, shot 10 of 18 from the field, hit 9 of her 10 free-throw attempts and had three blocks. It marked her fifth 30-point game of the season. 

Wilson registered double figures in points for the eighth time in the past nine games. 

Laila Blair led Houston with 19 points and four steals. Tatyana Hill added 11 points and nine rebounds.
 
Jillian Hayes finished with six points, seven rebounds, six assists, three blocks and three steals for the Bearcats. Milan Schimmel added five points, five assists and a game-high 11 rebounds.

UC lead most of the game until Houston finished the third quarter 10-1 run to tie the game at 45-45. 

The Cougars scored six of the first eight points of the fourth quarter to grab a 53-47 advantage with 7:32 remaining. 

However, Wilson stemmed the tide with a pair of 3-pointers and Thomas converted a layup inside to spark an 18-4 Bearcats' run to end the game. 

UC grabbed the lead for good when Thomas and Hayes each made a pair of free throws to give the Bearcats a 59-55 lead with 2:58 remaining. Thomas' layup with 41 seconds left gave UC a 61-57 lead. Then Thomas and Hayes made two more free throws each to seal the win. 

The Bearcats, who improved to 6-3 in AAC road games this season, shot 48 percent (22 of 46) from the floor, recording 20 assists on 22 made baskets. UC made 15 of 18 from the foul line, including 8 of 10 over the final 3:25 of the game. 

UC struggled to take care of the ball, committing 24 turnovers. But the Bearcats only made three miscues in the final quarter.  

UP NEXT 
UC travels to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete in the American Women's Basketball Championship, Mar. 8-11 at Dickies Arena.