CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati women's basketball team made a late fourth quarter comeback but came up short as it fell to the SMU Mustangs at home Wednesday night, 71-66.
Sophomore guard Jillian Hayes led the team with 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks. UC shot 81% from the free throw line, with Hayes going a perfect 7-for-7.
Cincinnati moves to 10-12 on the season and 3-7 in conference play while SMU improves to 11-8 and 5-2 in the conference.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats got off to a quick 4-0 start off a basket by Hayes and a jumper by junior forward Jadyn Scott. The Mustangs tied the game following two points from the charity stripe and a basket. UC and SMU would trade baskets back and forth before SMU went on a 14-2 run to take a 21-12 lead into the second quarter.
The Bearcats outscored the Mustangs 18-17 in the second quarter, highlighted by junior guard Caitlyn Wilson's two three-point baskets and graduate forward Arame Niang's six points after a layup and two jumpers. SMU went into the half with a 38-30 lead.
The second half kicked off with a 11-4 Bearcats run highlighted by back-to-back layups by junior point guard Akira Levy, two additional layups from Jadyn Scott and Hayes, and a three from freshman wing Emerita Mashaire. The run left the Cats down by three with a score of 44-41. However, the Bearcats were scoreless for the last four minutes of the third quarter while SMU recorded seven more points to maintain a 51-41 lead.
SMU looked as though they were going to run away with the game, but the Bearcats made a late fourth quarter comeback. The Bearcats outscored the Mustangs 14-6 in the final four minutes of the game, however SMU's two free throw shots in the final seconds secured the 71-66 win.
NOTEABLES
NEXT UP
The Bearcats hit the road and head south to New Orleans to face-off against the Tulane Green Wave on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 3 p.m. ET.
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.
Sophomore guard Jillian Hayes led the team with 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks. UC shot 81% from the free throw line, with Hayes going a perfect 7-for-7.
Cincinnati moves to 10-12 on the season and 3-7 in conference play while SMU improves to 11-8 and 5-2 in the conference.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats got off to a quick 4-0 start off a basket by Hayes and a jumper by junior forward Jadyn Scott. The Mustangs tied the game following two points from the charity stripe and a basket. UC and SMU would trade baskets back and forth before SMU went on a 14-2 run to take a 21-12 lead into the second quarter.
The Bearcats outscored the Mustangs 18-17 in the second quarter, highlighted by junior guard Caitlyn Wilson's two three-point baskets and graduate forward Arame Niang's six points after a layup and two jumpers. SMU went into the half with a 38-30 lead.
The second half kicked off with a 11-4 Bearcats run highlighted by back-to-back layups by junior point guard Akira Levy, two additional layups from Jadyn Scott and Hayes, and a three from freshman wing Emerita Mashaire. The run left the Cats down by three with a score of 44-41. However, the Bearcats were scoreless for the last four minutes of the third quarter while SMU recorded seven more points to maintain a 51-41 lead.
SMU looked as though they were going to run away with the game, but the Bearcats made a late fourth quarter comeback. The Bearcats outscored the Mustangs 14-6 in the final four minutes of the game, however SMU's two free throw shots in the final seconds secured the 71-66 win.
NOTEABLES
- Jillian Hayes led all Bearcats with 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
- Niang scored in double digits, recording 10 points and added six rebounds along with two blocks.
- The Bearcats bench recorded 37 points.
NEXT UP
The Bearcats hit the road and head south to New Orleans to face-off against the Tulane Green Wave on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 3 p.m. ET.
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.