TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati women's basketball team used a balanced scoring effort and strong defense to cruise past Texas Tech, 74-56, on Saturday afternoon in Fifth Third Arena.
In a one-point game heading into the final quarter, the Bearcats (11-10, 3-7 Big 12) outscored the Lady Raiders 24-7 to earn its third Big 12 home victory.
The Bearcats owned a commanding plus-17 advantage on the glass (43-26) and pulled down 21 offensive boards which resulted in 23 second-chance points and 44 points in the paint. Cincinnati also had a season-high 13 steals – its second time reaching double-digits in the category this season – and scored 23 points off Texas Tech's 19 turnovers.
Senior Jillian Hayes led the Bearcats with her sixth double-double of the season, 19th of her career. She finished with team highs in points (18) and rebounds (12). She added season highs in blocks (3) and steals (3) in the all-around performance.
Sophomore A'riel Jackson tied her season-high 13 points (6-12 FG) to go along with four rebounds and four assists. She has scored in double figures in three straight games.
Junior Ta'Ziah Jenks, who made her first start of the season, recorded a season-high 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting while sophomore Destiny Thomas added seven points and six boards.
UC got out to a fast start, using a 12-2 run to lead 13-4 at the first quarter media timeout. The run featured back-to-back layups from Thomas. UC was plus-10 in rebounds and scored 16 points in the paint in the first 10 minutes of play (20-9). The Bearcats also forced six turnovers which resulted in eight fast break points.
Cincinnati went on a 7-0 run to take its largest lead of the half with 7:27 left in the second quarter (27-12). A'riel Jackson had back-to-back buckets during the stretch. The Lady Raiders responded with 10 straight to pull within five with five minutes remaining (27-22). The Bearcats then held the Lady Raiders without a field goal for the final 4:47 minutes to lead by eight at the break (35-27).
Cincinnati shot 40.5% (15-37), pulled down 25 rebounds and forced nine turnovers in the first half.
Texas Tech scored the first seven points of the third quarter to force a UC timeout at 8:19 (35-34). Jenks ended the scoring drought with two straight baskets. In total, the Bearcats went on a 9-0 run over three minutes (44-34). The Lady Raiders used a six-point swing to pull with one with one quarter remaining (50-49).
The Bearcats rattled off 14 straight points to start the final quarter (64-49). Cincinnati would go on to outscore Texas Tech 24-7 to cruise to the 74-56 victory. Hayes scored nine of her 18 points (2-3 FG, 5-7 FT) in the final 10 minutes.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats head to Orlando, Fla., to face UCF on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
In a one-point game heading into the final quarter, the Bearcats (11-10, 3-7 Big 12) outscored the Lady Raiders 24-7 to earn its third Big 12 home victory.
The Bearcats owned a commanding plus-17 advantage on the glass (43-26) and pulled down 21 offensive boards which resulted in 23 second-chance points and 44 points in the paint. Cincinnati also had a season-high 13 steals – its second time reaching double-digits in the category this season – and scored 23 points off Texas Tech's 19 turnovers.
Senior Jillian Hayes led the Bearcats with her sixth double-double of the season, 19th of her career. She finished with team highs in points (18) and rebounds (12). She added season highs in blocks (3) and steals (3) in the all-around performance.
Sophomore A'riel Jackson tied her season-high 13 points (6-12 FG) to go along with four rebounds and four assists. She has scored in double figures in three straight games.
Junior Ta'Ziah Jenks, who made her first start of the season, recorded a season-high 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting while sophomore Destiny Thomas added seven points and six boards.
UC got out to a fast start, using a 12-2 run to lead 13-4 at the first quarter media timeout. The run featured back-to-back layups from Thomas. UC was plus-10 in rebounds and scored 16 points in the paint in the first 10 minutes of play (20-9). The Bearcats also forced six turnovers which resulted in eight fast break points.
Cincinnati went on a 7-0 run to take its largest lead of the half with 7:27 left in the second quarter (27-12). A'riel Jackson had back-to-back buckets during the stretch. The Lady Raiders responded with 10 straight to pull within five with five minutes remaining (27-22). The Bearcats then held the Lady Raiders without a field goal for the final 4:47 minutes to lead by eight at the break (35-27).
Cincinnati shot 40.5% (15-37), pulled down 25 rebounds and forced nine turnovers in the first half.
Texas Tech scored the first seven points of the third quarter to force a UC timeout at 8:19 (35-34). Jenks ended the scoring drought with two straight baskets. In total, the Bearcats went on a 9-0 run over three minutes (44-34). The Lady Raiders used a six-point swing to pull with one with one quarter remaining (50-49).
The Bearcats rattled off 14 straight points to start the final quarter (64-49). Cincinnati would go on to outscore Texas Tech 24-7 to cruise to the 74-56 victory. Hayes scored nine of her 18 points (2-3 FG, 5-7 FT) in the final 10 minutes.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats head to Orlando, Fla., to face UCF on Wednesday, Feb. 7.