CINCINNATI – Fifth year forward Jillian Hayes dropped a career-high 30 points as the University of Cincinnati women's basketball team downed Delaware State, 83-46, on Sunday inside Fifth Third Arena.
Hayes posted her 25th career double-double, tallying 30 points and 11 rebounds while shooting a career-best 12-of-17 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. She became the first Bearcat to post a 30-point game since Ilmar'I Thomas did so on March 8, 2021, and is just the third Big 12 player this season to reach the 30-point mark.
With her performance, Hayes moved up to fourth all-time in UC's career rebounds list (866), surpassing Doris Scott (1995-99).
Junior A'riel Jackson contributed 13 points (5-10 FG), five rebounds and five assists, while senior Tineya Hylton added eight points and six assists.
Redshirt junior Alliance Ndiba recorded her second consecutive game with 10 rebounds, along with two blocks. Ndiba and Hayes combined to give UC a dominant 50-29 edge on the boards.
A'riel Jackson set the tone by scoring within the first 10 seconds, and the Bearcats never trailed. Cincinnati shot 45.9% from the field (34-of-74) and 36.8% from beyond the arc (7-of-19), with 19 assists on its 34 made field goals.
The Bearcats scored the first 11 points of the game before the Hornets responded with a 7-0 spurt (14-9). Daylee Dunn then drained her first three-pointer in a Bearcat uniform, extending UC's lead back to double digits (19-9). Cincinnati's shooting (58.8%) allowed them to lead 25-14 after the first quarter, with Hayes contributing 11 points and four rebounds.
Delaware State cut the lead to seven with 5:45 left in the second quarter (30-23), but UC held the Hornets scoreless for the remainder of the half. The Bearcats went into halftime with a 43-23 lead after a 13-0 run, fueled by eight points from Hayes.
Cincinnati extended its lead to 23 points midway through the third quarter with a Jackson-to-Ndiba connection (54-31). The Bearcats capped the period on a 10-3 run, highlighted by a block and the first career basket for freshman Ramiyah Byrd (64-37).
The Bearcats used a 10-0 run to take their largest lead of the game with 4:46 left in the fourth quarter (76-37). Chloe Mann hit a pair of three-pointers during the stretch. Sophomore Delaney Snyder chipped in four points in the period.
Cincinnati cruised to the home-opening win, 83-46.
Hayes’ Career Day Powers UC Past Delaware State
Fifth year forward Jillian Hayes dropped a career-high 30 points as the University of Cincinnati women's basketball team downed Delaware State, 83-46, on Sunday inside Fifth Third Arena.
