TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team earned its first win of the 2023-24 season, defeating Lindenwood, 81-62, on Wednesday inside Fifth Third Arena.
In front of a crowd of 4,673 fans on Education Day, the Bearcats claimed the first win of the Katrina Merriweather era.
Sophomore Destiny Thomas led the Bearcats with her first career double-double, finishing with personal bests in points (13) and rebounds (12). She went a perfect 6-of-6 from the field and pulled down six offensive boards. She also led the team in assists with three.
Senior Jillian Hayes recorded her first double-double of the season, 14th of her career, with 13 points and 14 rebounds – a rebound shy of her career high. It marked the first time Cincinnati had two players post double-doubles in a game since IImar'I Thomas and Angel Rizor did so against Houston on Feb. 18, 2020.
Senior Malea Williams (11 points) and sophomore A'riel Jackson (10 points) also finished in double figures for the Bearcats.
The Bearcats shot 47.1 percent from the field (32-68 FG) despite not making a three-point field goal (0-10 3FG). Cincinnati owned a +19 advantage on the glass (48-29) which resulted in 23 second-chance points.
Lindenwood finished 37.3 percent from the floor (25-67 FG) and made six three-pointers (.269).
Freshmen Reagan Jackson, Abby Holtman and Delaney Snyder all made their first collegiate baskets in the win. Reagan Jackson finished with nine points, including a mark of 5-of-6 from the charity stripe.
A'riel Jackson converted on and-one to put UC in front with 4:35 left the first quarter (12-9). The Bearcats then rattled off a 12-0 run over three minutes to lead 19-9. A trio of three-pointers by Lindenwood cut UC's lead to three (21-18) before Braylyn Milton hit a jumper to end the first period, 23-18. Thomas had eight points (4-4 FG) and five boards in the opening quarter.
Snyder scored her first career bucket to start off the second period. The Bearcats' defense held Lindenwood scoreless for 2:30 minutes as UC extended its lead to 10 (32-22). Cincinnati then went on a 9-0 run to push its lead to 17 with two minutes left in the first half (41-24). Aïcha Dia and Milton scored back-to-back baskets to give UC a 47-31 advantage at the break.
Thomas had 10 points (5-5 FG) and eight rebounds in the first 20 minutes of action.
The Lions pulled within 14 with 5:39 left in the third quarter (53-39). Cincinnati responded with a pair of scoring runs to own its largest lead of the day with 1:25 to go in the third period (63-43).
Lindenwood went on a 6-0 run to cut its deficit to 10 with five minutes left in the game (70-60). Reagan Jackson made a pair of free throws to silence the run as the Bearcats held the Lions scoreless for the final 4:53 minutes of the contest.
Reagan Jackson had eight points (2-4 FG, 4-4 FT) while Hayes notched eight points and eight boards in the second half.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati hits the road for the first time in 2023-24, traveling to Toledo on Sunday, Nov. 19. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. inside Savage Arena.
In front of a crowd of 4,673 fans on Education Day, the Bearcats claimed the first win of the Katrina Merriweather era.
Sophomore Destiny Thomas led the Bearcats with her first career double-double, finishing with personal bests in points (13) and rebounds (12). She went a perfect 6-of-6 from the field and pulled down six offensive boards. She also led the team in assists with three.
Senior Jillian Hayes recorded her first double-double of the season, 14th of her career, with 13 points and 14 rebounds – a rebound shy of her career high. It marked the first time Cincinnati had two players post double-doubles in a game since IImar'I Thomas and Angel Rizor did so against Houston on Feb. 18, 2020.
Senior Malea Williams (11 points) and sophomore A'riel Jackson (10 points) also finished in double figures for the Bearcats.
The Bearcats shot 47.1 percent from the field (32-68 FG) despite not making a three-point field goal (0-10 3FG). Cincinnati owned a +19 advantage on the glass (48-29) which resulted in 23 second-chance points.
Lindenwood finished 37.3 percent from the floor (25-67 FG) and made six three-pointers (.269).
Freshmen Reagan Jackson, Abby Holtman and Delaney Snyder all made their first collegiate baskets in the win. Reagan Jackson finished with nine points, including a mark of 5-of-6 from the charity stripe.
A'riel Jackson converted on and-one to put UC in front with 4:35 left the first quarter (12-9). The Bearcats then rattled off a 12-0 run over three minutes to lead 19-9. A trio of three-pointers by Lindenwood cut UC's lead to three (21-18) before Braylyn Milton hit a jumper to end the first period, 23-18. Thomas had eight points (4-4 FG) and five boards in the opening quarter.
Snyder scored her first career bucket to start off the second period. The Bearcats' defense held Lindenwood scoreless for 2:30 minutes as UC extended its lead to 10 (32-22). Cincinnati then went on a 9-0 run to push its lead to 17 with two minutes left in the first half (41-24). Aïcha Dia and Milton scored back-to-back baskets to give UC a 47-31 advantage at the break.
Thomas had 10 points (5-5 FG) and eight rebounds in the first 20 minutes of action.
The Lions pulled within 14 with 5:39 left in the third quarter (53-39). Cincinnati responded with a pair of scoring runs to own its largest lead of the day with 1:25 to go in the third period (63-43).
Lindenwood went on a 6-0 run to cut its deficit to 10 with five minutes left in the game (70-60). Reagan Jackson made a pair of free throws to silence the run as the Bearcats held the Lions scoreless for the final 4:53 minutes of the contest.
Reagan Jackson had eight points (2-4 FG, 4-4 FT) while Hayes notched eight points and eight boards in the second half.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati hits the road for the first time in 2023-24, traveling to Toledo on Sunday, Nov. 19. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. inside Savage Arena.