Bearcats Battle to the End in Thursday's Loss to Wichita State

CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team fell at home to conference foe Wichita State 76-66 on Thursday night.

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Bearcats Battle to the End in Thursday's Loss to Wichita StateBearcats Battle to the End in Thursday's Loss to Wichita State
CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team fell at home to conference foe Wichita State 76-66 on Thursday night.
 
The Bearcats record falls to 7-8, with a 6-5 record at home. Sophomore guard Jillian Hayes led the Bearcats with 21 points and 11 rebounds for her second career double-double and first since Bellarmine this season. Cincinnati held its opponents to 6.3% from three-point range and 36.1% from the floor.
 
Cincinnati still holds the overall series record at 5-2. Wichita State improves to 10-5 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats started off scorching hot as they went six for their first six shots including two three-pointers from junior forward Caitlyn Wilson and two baskets from Hayes. leading the Shockers at one point 26-9. However Wichita State would close out the first quarter on a 9-2 run to cut the lead to 22-21.
 
The defense showed up late in the first and into the second quarter, with two blocks from junior point guard Akira Levy and junior forward Jadyn Scott that got the crowd on their feet. Feeding off the defense, the visitors were held to just 7-22 shooting in the second quarter and 34.1% in the half. Hayes' fourth basket cut the visitor's advantage 40-30 at the break.
 
Wilson hit her third three of the night to cut the deficit to five early in the second half. Sophomore forward Malea Williams collected her fourth block in the third quarter for a new career high. The Bearcats would then go on an 8-4 run to close out the third quarter and cut the Shockers lead to 55-47.

Hayes' two lay-ups early in the fourth quarter and freshman wing Emerita Mashaire's three-pointer cut the deficit to six at 63-57. Scott and Hayes played a part in a late 6-0 run, cutting the lead to 63-61. The Shockers would however go on a 13-5 run to close out the game, with a final score of 73-66.
 
NOTABLES
  • Hayes went eight-for-13 from the floor for her best shooting performance of the season.
  • Hayes' 11 rebounds tied her season-high set against Bellarmine on 11/12/21. She leads the team with 102 rebounds.
  • Levy's eight assist are the most in a game since she recorded 12 against NC A&T on 12/19/21 and leads the AAC in assists.
  • This was Wilson's third straight game with four-plus made three-pointers, the first such run of her career.
  • Wilson's five three-pointers add to her team-leading 26 made three-pointers and threes per game (1.7).
  • The Bearcats made eight three-pointers after making a season-high nine last time out against Temple.
UP NEXT
Cincinnati are on back on the road for a Sunday matinee against East Carolina at 1 p.m.The game will air 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 Coach Michelle Clark-Heard (@Coachheard) on Twitter. You can also follow the team on Facebook and Instagram.