TicketsPRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Cincinnati women's basketball used a dominant fourth quarter to pull away for a 66-52 road win over UMES on Sunday afternoon in Princess Anne, Md.
Cincinnati (3-1) outscored the Hawks 25-10 in the final 10 minutes, shooting 67% from the field in the decisive frame to secure its first road win of the season.
Playing in her home state, sophomore Caliyah DeVillasee led all scorers with 19 points, her fourth consecutive game leading the Bearcats in scoring. The Baltimore, Md., native went 6-of-11 from the floor and 7-of-8 from the free throw line while adding five rebounds, three assists and a block. She has scored in double figures in all four games this season.
Senior Amber Bullard recorded her first double-double of the season with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting and a team-high 11 rebounds. It was the fifth double-double of her career.
Sophomore Jade Jones was the third Bearcat in double figures with 11 points on 50% shooting. Sophomore Dee Alexander added nine points on 4-of-5 shooting and eight rebounds in her first career start.
Cincinnati shot 41.5% from the field and made 22 free throws. UMES finished at 33% overall, including 18% from 3-point range. The Bearcats dominated the glass, 46-29, and turned that advantage into 21 second-chance points.
UMES held a slim 9-8 lead at the first media timeout. The Bearcats traded baskets with the Hawks throughout the opening period, with a Jones jumper giving Cincinnati a 16-15 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Bullard had seven points (3-3 FG) and four boards in the first 10 minutes.
The Hawks regained the lead in the second quarter, capitalizing on trips to the free throw line. Back-to-back baskets from Benson put Cincinnati back in front, 24-21, at the media timeout. The Bearcats then held UMES scoreless for five minutes to build an eight-point advantage (29-21). The Hawks responded with four straight points to cut the deficit to four at halftime (31-27).
UMES opened the second half with a 6-0 run to even the score at 33-33. Cincinnati answered with consecutive baskets from DeVillasee and Jones to regain the lead at the media timeout (37-35). The Hawks responded with seven straight points to take a 42-38 advantage, but three free throws from the Bearcats pulled Cincinnati within one heading into the fourth quarter (42-41).
The Hawks extended their lead to six with 8:46 remaining (47-41), but Cincinnati responded with six unanswered points to tie the game. After UMES briefly regained the lead, the Bearcats took control with a 10-0 run over the next two minutes. Bullard and Jones each contributed four points during the stretch, while Alexander added a layup. DeVillasee then connected on back-to-back jumpers to help seal the 66-52 victory.
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Cincinnati returns home to host Western Carolina on Wednesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. as part of a Bearcats basketball doubleheader in Fifth Third Arena.