TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team opens American Athletic Conference action when the Bearcats travel to face Wichita State inside Charles Koch Arena on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be aired on ESPN+.
Friday marks the fifth and final road game for Cincinnati in the month of December. Outside of the season affected by COVID-19, this is the first time that the Bearcats have opened conference play in December under head coach Michelle Clark-Heard. Cincinnati is 33-32 in conference under Clark-Heard.
It is the eighth-ever meeting between the two teams. Cincinnati leads the all-time series 5-2 and is 3-0 inside Charles Koch Arena. All meetings except one have come as a part of the American. Junior guard Jillian Hayes finished with her first career double-double on 21 points and 11 rebounds, but the Shockers defeated the Bearcats 76-66 inside Fifth Third Arena in the last meeting on Jan. 13, 2022.
Cincinnati fell to Northern Kentucky 72-52 last time out on Dec. 21. Senior guard Mya Jackson finished with a game-high 17 points, her fourth game leading the team in scoring this season. Hayes added 16 points with a team-high eight rebounds for her 12th-straight double-digit scoring game. The 12 straight games in double figures are the most since I'ImarI Thomas did so in 13 consecutive contests in 2019-20. Sophomore guard Braylyn Milton was active on the defensive end all night, posting a career-high four steals. Cincinnati turned in 26 points in the paint; the Bearcats have scored 20-plus points in the paint in 11 of 13 games.
The Bearcats' bench has provided huge contributions all season. Cincinnati has recorded 293 points, 22.5 per game off its bench and is 6-1 when outscoring their opponent in bench points this season. The Bearcats are outscoring their opponents 293-211 in bench points this season, including 97-43 over the last three games. Cincinnati has received at least 20 points from its bench in nine of 13 games. The Bearcats have had eight double-digit scoring efforts off its bench this season. Senior guard Caitlyn Wilson is leading the team with 6.6 points per game off the bench this season.
The Wichita State Shockers are 10-3 overall, 0-0 in the AAC in the sixth season under head coach Keitha Adams. The Norse are 6-1 at home inside Charles Koch Arena this season. Wichita State broke a 41-year old school record in a 105-38 win over South Carolina State in the final non-conference matchup on Dec. 27. The 67-point win marked the largest margin of victory in school history, besting a previous record of 64 set back in 1981. The Shockers fell two points shy of the school record for most points in a game and recorded 28 total assists, the most under Adams. The Shockers are averaging 71.5 points and limiting opponents to 59.5 points per game. Wichita State ranks 21st in the nation and second in the conference with a +10.5 rebounding margin. Senior forward Jane Asinde is averaging a double-double with 11.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, while junior guard DJ McCarty is averaging a team-high 13.5 points per game.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's basketball, visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsWBB on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Friday marks the fifth and final road game for Cincinnati in the month of December. Outside of the season affected by COVID-19, this is the first time that the Bearcats have opened conference play in December under head coach Michelle Clark-Heard. Cincinnati is 33-32 in conference under Clark-Heard.
It is the eighth-ever meeting between the two teams. Cincinnati leads the all-time series 5-2 and is 3-0 inside Charles Koch Arena. All meetings except one have come as a part of the American. Junior guard Jillian Hayes finished with her first career double-double on 21 points and 11 rebounds, but the Shockers defeated the Bearcats 76-66 inside Fifth Third Arena in the last meeting on Jan. 13, 2022.
Cincinnati fell to Northern Kentucky 72-52 last time out on Dec. 21. Senior guard Mya Jackson finished with a game-high 17 points, her fourth game leading the team in scoring this season. Hayes added 16 points with a team-high eight rebounds for her 12th-straight double-digit scoring game. The 12 straight games in double figures are the most since I'ImarI Thomas did so in 13 consecutive contests in 2019-20. Sophomore guard Braylyn Milton was active on the defensive end all night, posting a career-high four steals. Cincinnati turned in 26 points in the paint; the Bearcats have scored 20-plus points in the paint in 11 of 13 games.
The Bearcats' bench has provided huge contributions all season. Cincinnati has recorded 293 points, 22.5 per game off its bench and is 6-1 when outscoring their opponent in bench points this season. The Bearcats are outscoring their opponents 293-211 in bench points this season, including 97-43 over the last three games. Cincinnati has received at least 20 points from its bench in nine of 13 games. The Bearcats have had eight double-digit scoring efforts off its bench this season. Senior guard Caitlyn Wilson is leading the team with 6.6 points per game off the bench this season.
The Wichita State Shockers are 10-3 overall, 0-0 in the AAC in the sixth season under head coach Keitha Adams. The Norse are 6-1 at home inside Charles Koch Arena this season. Wichita State broke a 41-year old school record in a 105-38 win over South Carolina State in the final non-conference matchup on Dec. 27. The 67-point win marked the largest margin of victory in school history, besting a previous record of 64 set back in 1981. The Shockers fell two points shy of the school record for most points in a game and recorded 28 total assists, the most under Adams. The Shockers are averaging 71.5 points and limiting opponents to 59.5 points per game. Wichita State ranks 21st in the nation and second in the conference with a +10.5 rebounding margin. Senior forward Jane Asinde is averaging a double-double with 11.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, while junior guard DJ McCarty is averaging a team-high 13.5 points per game.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's basketball, visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsWBB on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.