TicketsCincinnati fell to Toledo in overtime, 71-74, on Wednesday. Senior guard Mya Jackson and junior guard Jillian Hayes accounted for 45 of the 71 points and became the first Bearcats to score 20-plus points in the same game since IImar'I Thomas and Caitlyn Wilson did so in a 71-58 win at Tulsa on Feb. 27, 2021. Jackson played all 45 minutes and turned in her eighth career 20-point game with a game-high 24 points on 10-19 from the field with four rebounds and two assists. Hayes finished with her fifth career 20-point game with 21 points on 8-13 from the field, in addition to a team-high eight rebounds and two blocks.
Jackson is averaging a team-high 16.3 points, 4.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds on 47.2 percent from the field in 39.1 minutes per game. The 39.1 minutes per game ranks ninth in the nation and first in the American Athletic Conference. She has finished in double figures in all four games this season.
Cincinnati recorded a season-high 36 points in the paint against Toledo. The Bearcats are averaging 27.0 points in the paint through the first four games. Despite shooting a season-low 30.8 percent from behind the arc in their last game, Cincinnati is converting on 25-57 for 43.9 percent from three-point range through the first four games, which ranks ninth in the nation and second in the conference.
Monday will be the first-ever meeting between Cincinnati and Lindenwood. Head coach Michelle Clark-Heard is 2-0 against Ohio Valley Conference opponents at Cincinnati, securing the first win of her tenure in a 69-48 victory over Austin Peay on Nov. 6, 2018 and defeating Tennessee Tech 68-57 this season on Nov. 10. The Bearcats play three OVC teams - Tennessee Tech, Lindenwood and Southern Indiana - as a part of their non-conference schedule this season.
Lindenwood is in its first season as a Division One program and a member of the OVC. In the fifth season under head coach Katie Falco, Lindenwood is off to an 0-2 start with road losses at Eastern Michigan and Central Arkansas. This is the Lions' first home game inside Hyland Arena this season, where the program went 7-6 in 2021-22. Lindenwood is led by senior guard Emily Benzschawel and graduate student guard Masyn McWilliams, who are each scoring in double digits this season. Benzschawel is averaging a team-high 16.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 33.0 minutes per game, while converting on 70.0 percent (7-10) from three point range. Lindenwood is scoring 49.5 points and allowing 63.0 points per game.
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BOUNCE BACK FOR JILLIAN HAYES
Junior guard Jillian Hayes is averaging 13.5 points, a team-high 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 26.0 minutes per game through the first four contests. After an 0-9 performance in 18 minutes at Louisville, Hayes' averages have increased to 17.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 28.7 minutes per game over the last three contests. Hayes recorded her fifth career 20-plus point game against Toledo on Nov. 16, finishing with 21 points on 8-13 from the field and a team-high eight rebounds. She recorded her fourth career double-double, recording 11 points and 10 rebounds, in addition three assists, three blocks and two steals in 25 minutes against Radford on Nov. 13. Hayes ranks 21st in the nation and first in the conference with 26 free throw attempts this season, converting on 16-26 from the line. Her 16 makes from the line also ranks first in the conference.
DIFFERENT NIGHT, DIFFERENT OPTION
Cincinnati has had different leading scorer in each of the first four games. Braylyn Milton erupted for a game-high 28 points at No.7/5 Louisville, Jillian Hayes turned in 19 vs. Tennessee Tech, Caitlyn Wilson posted 15 vs. Radford and Mya Jackson scored 24 vs. Toledo. Six different Bearcats have scored in double figures through the first four games. Eight different players led Cincinnati in scoring in 28 games in 2021-22.
OFF THE BENCH
Cincinnati is receiving 18.8 points per game from its bench and have outscored their opponent in bench points in both wins this season. The Bearcats have had two double digit scoring efforts off its bench this season - Clarissa Craig - 11 vs. Radford and A'riel Jackson - 12 at No.7/5 Louisville. Cincinnati received a season-high 24 points from its bench in the win over Radford.
DANGEROUS FROM BEHIND THE ARC
Cincinnati is converting on 25-57 for 43.9 percent from three point range through the first four games, which ranks ninth in the nation and second in the AAC. Braylyn Milton is leading the team with a 54.5 three-point percentage on 6-11 from behind the arc. Milton is one of three Bearcats who are converting on at least 40.0 percent from behind the arc through the first four games. Caitlyn Wilson is shooting 10-21 for 47.6 percent and Mya Jackson is connecting on 5-12 for 41.7 percent. Caitlyn Wilson ranks 43rd nationally with 10 three-point field goals made this season. Cincinnati shot 9-13 for 69.2 percent from three in the season opener at No.7/5 Louisville, the best mark under Clark-Heard. Cincinnati improved to 13-2 when shooting above 50.0 percent from three under Clark-Heard.