TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team lost 61-46 at home on Wednesday night to No. 24 South Florida in both teams first conference game of the season.
Junior guard Caitlyn Wilson had a team-high 12 points on four three-pointers along with her four rebounds while sophomore guard Jillian Hayes shot 50% from the floor en route to her 11 points. The Bearcats held their opponents to 39.3% from the field and forced 16 turnovers to go along with their seven blocks.
Cincinnati moves to 7-6 on the season, 0-1 in conference play while USF improves to 11-4 on the season, 1-0 in conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Graduate forward Arame Niang made the first shot attempted of the night and Hayes hit two free throws for the Bearcats' only points in the first quarter. USF would go on a 13-0 run followed an 10-0 run to take a 23-4 lead.
Cincinnati's defense came to life in the second quarter. The Bearcats forced three shot clock violations, had five blocks and held USF to 29.4% shooting. Hayes' tough lay-up in traffic and freshman center Clarissa Craig's turnaround jumper cut the deficit to 18 and the Bearcats outscored their opponents 12-11 in the second quarter, USF leading 34-16 at the half.
Junior guard Caitlin Wilson hit a three-point shot and sophomore forward Nevaeh Dean had the first points of her season and scored on back-to-back possessions as part of a 9-0 Bearcats run, which cut the lead to 40-28.
Niang powered through contact for a clutch three-point play and a possession later Niang's quick hands led to a steal and a Wilson three which cut the visitors' advantage to 11, the lowest since the first quarter.
Wilson hit her fourth three of the night to cut the Bulls' lead to nine points, but the visitors held off the Bearcats for a 61-46 win.
NOTABLES
UP NEXT
The Bearcats are back at home in Fifth Third Arena on Saturday as they host Temple University for a 2 p.m. tip-off.
Junior guard Caitlyn Wilson had a team-high 12 points on four three-pointers along with her four rebounds while sophomore guard Jillian Hayes shot 50% from the floor en route to her 11 points. The Bearcats held their opponents to 39.3% from the field and forced 16 turnovers to go along with their seven blocks.
Cincinnati moves to 7-6 on the season, 0-1 in conference play while USF improves to 11-4 on the season, 1-0 in conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Graduate forward Arame Niang made the first shot attempted of the night and Hayes hit two free throws for the Bearcats' only points in the first quarter. USF would go on a 13-0 run followed an 10-0 run to take a 23-4 lead.
Cincinnati's defense came to life in the second quarter. The Bearcats forced three shot clock violations, had five blocks and held USF to 29.4% shooting. Hayes' tough lay-up in traffic and freshman center Clarissa Craig's turnaround jumper cut the deficit to 18 and the Bearcats outscored their opponents 12-11 in the second quarter, USF leading 34-16 at the half.
Junior guard Caitlin Wilson hit a three-point shot and sophomore forward Nevaeh Dean had the first points of her season and scored on back-to-back possessions as part of a 9-0 Bearcats run, which cut the lead to 40-28.
Niang powered through contact for a clutch three-point play and a possession later Niang's quick hands led to a steal and a Wilson three which cut the visitors' advantage to 11, the lowest since the first quarter.
Wilson hit her fourth three of the night to cut the Bulls' lead to nine points, but the visitors held off the Bearcats for a 61-46 win.
NOTABLES
- The Bearcats outscored their opponents in each quarter after the first - 12-11 in the second, 15-13 in the third quarter, and 15-14 in the fourth quarter.
- Cincinnati collected 18 points on 16 turnovers.
- Nevaeh Dean scored six points, five rebounds, and two assists which are all season-highs for the sophomore.
- Akira Levy leads the team with 73 assists and added four to her tally tonight.
- Cincinnati's seven blocks were the second-most in a game this season (eight vs. Bellarmine).
UP NEXT
The Bearcats are back at home in Fifth Third Arena on Saturday as they host Temple University for a 2 p.m. tip-off.