TicketsTHE SERIES
East Carolina leads the series 10-9, and 5-4 overall in Greenville, N.C.
Last time out, IImar'I Thomas became the second player in University of Cincinnati basketball history to score 50 or more in a game with her career-best, 51-point performance in the 76-61 win on the road at East Carolina. It was the first 50-plus point game in American Athletic Conference women's basketball history. Caitlyn Wilson added 10 points, knocking down three triples to give her 27 three-pointers made over the last seven games. Jada Scott also pulled down a career-best 11 rebounds.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
The Bearcats are 7-8 overall and 0-3 in American Athletic Conference play.
Last time out in the loss to Wichita State, Cincinnati held the Shockers to 6.3% from the three point range and 36.1% from the floor. Jilian Hayes recorded her second double-double of the season, recording 21 points and 11 rebounds. She was 8-for-13 from the floor, her best shooting performance of the season. The 11 rebounds also tied her season-high set against Bellarmine on 11/12/21/ She leads the team with 102 rebounds. Caitlyn Wilson recorded five three point shots, a new season high for the junior, and leads the team with 26 made shots. It was also Wilson's third straight game with four-plus made three pointers.
Junior point guard Akira Levy ranks first in the conference and 11th in the nation in assists (88) and 17th in the nation with assists per game (5.9). She is third in the conference and 30th in the nation in steals (37) and is also first in the conference and 32nd in the nation with free throws made (60).
SCOUTING THE PIRATESThe Pirates are 7-9 overall on the season, 0-3 in American Athletic Conference action. They have lost three in a row to UCF, Tulsa, and SMU.
Last time out, the Pirates fell short to SMU after a 20-point fourth quarter effort behind the play of Taniyah Thompson, who scored a team-high 15 points, but eventually lost 60-49 Thursday night. Da'Ja Green added 11 points going 5-of-14 after playing 22 minutes.
Since Kim McNeill arrived in Greenville, the Pirates have been consistently near the top of the country in steals and turnovers forced. However this season, the Pirates have added another wrinkle to their defense, blocked shots. East Carolina currently leads the AAC and is ranked 19th in the country in rejections with 70. The two biggest reasons for that are Tiara Chambers and Tylar Bennett.
Junior guard Taniyah Thompson leads the team, averaging 17.4 points per game and 29.5 minutes.
HOW TO WATCHThe contest will stream on ESPN+ and you can watch it here.
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.