TicketsThe Bearcats host the game on Fifth Third Arena after last years' cancellation due to COVID-19.
THE SERIES
This will be the 43rd all-time meeting between the Bearcats and the Musketeers. The Red & Black hold a 25-17 series advantage, including a 10-8 edge in games played on UC's campus. The Bearcats are currently on a two game win streak after coming up short in five straight meetings and have held the Kendle Cup – the traveling trophy in the rivalry – since 2018.
UC came out on top 85-78 in the 2019 edition of the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout at the Cintas Center and 79-61 in the 2018 edition held in Fifth Third Arena.
Head coach Michelle Clark-Heard is 2-0 as the Bearcats head coach against Xavier.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
The Bearcats start the season 4-4, with wins over Alabama A&M, Bellarmine, Western Carolina and Central Michigan.
Last time out, the Bearcats fell to the Rebels 75-63 after a tough battle all game. UC shot 85.7% from the free throw line, going 12-for-14. Junior point guard Akira Levy led the team with 21 points, a new season and career high, while freshman point guard Braylyn Milton also scored a new season and career high 19 points. Freshman wing Emerita Mashaire went 2-2 from three point range, scoring a new season and career high six points.
Levy leads the American Athletic Conference and is ranked 25th in steals (24) and is ranked second in the AAC and 29th in the NCAA with assists (44). Levy also leads the team in points scored (112), assists (44), steals (24), and minutes averaging 33.3 a game. Jillian Hayes leads the team in rebounds (50) and blocks (11).
Freshman Aanaya Harris led four Musketeers in double figures on Wednesday afternoon, scoring a season-high 20 points on 9-for-10 shooting as Xavier topped Niagara, 82-78. Three other players scored in double digits - Mikayla Hayes (16), Kae Satterfield (14), and Mackayla Scarlett (13). Xavier posted a season-high 12 blocks, tied for the fifth most blocks in a game in program history.
Harris ranks third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.8 points per game. She has hit 49.3 percent (35-for-71) of her shot attempts this season, ranking 10th in the BIG EAST. She ranks second on th team in total blocks (5) and total assists (23).
Xavier leads the BIG EAST in free-throw percentage (.803), while ranking 10th in the NCAA. The Musketeers also rank fourth in the BIG EAST in field-goal percentage (.432), rank fourth in the BIG EAST in steals per game (8.0) this season. Nia Clark leads the team with 13 steals, ranking ninth in the BIG EAST. Nia Clark also ranks ninth in the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game. She also ranks first in free-throw percentage (.941).
PARKING
Cash parking will be available at Corry Garage on campus for $5.
Can't make it to Fifth Third Arena? The game will broadcast on ESPN+ and fans are encouraged to sign up for the digital platform online.
GAME PROMOTIONS
A celebration of 50 years of Title IX, a special half-time act featuring the frisbee dogs group K9's in Flight, and post-game autograph session.
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 Coach Michelle Clark-Heard (@Coachheard) on Twitter. You can also follow the team on Facebook and Instagram.