The Bearcats Women’s Basketball team is looking to turn some heads heading into their final conference slate as members of the American Athletic Conference. The Bearcats currently sit 7-7 on the season as coach Heard and the Bearcats are looking to get back in the win column here to start the second half of the season.
Bearcats head coach Michelle Clark-Heard joined elite company earlier this season as she became one of four head coaches in the American Athletic Conference to win more than 250 games in their coaching careers.
“I just feel very blessed and humbled,” said Michelle Clark-Heard. “When people ask me about winning 250 games as a head coach, I just think about all the people, players that I have coached. All the coaches that have been a huge part of my steps, the impact they have made. I think, to be able to be in this position and to have that 250 wins it says a lot for you. I love this game; I love giving back, I love being a part of those things, those are the things that I think about, filled with joy and extremely grateful.”
The Bearcats are looking to end a two-game losing streak after falling 61-49 to Wichita State earlier this week, but they have shown progression as they dominated the defensive end. The Bearcats would record a new program high 14 blocks in that contest as their efforts fell just short, but a huge testament of the Bearcats success on defense goes to Malea Williams. Williams, finished with a career high seven blocks versus Wichita State and let the charge defensively. Williams has been able to use her length and athleticism to really set the tone on the defensive end as she’s been able to cause a lot of mismatches on defense.
“I am very proud of Malea. She is huge part of what we do on the defensive end,” said Clark-Heard. “She comes out every single day and competes at the highest level. She makes us better, she makes her teammates better. As coaches it’s fun to watch. It’s fun to watch her grow and the growth she made over her time at Cincinnati.”
Bearcats junior guard Jillian Hayes continues to be a problem as the Cincinnati native leads the Bearcats in scoring and rebounding as she averages nearly 15 points per game along with nine rebounds through the first half of the season. Hayes, has played a huge role for the Bearcats as she currently is shooting 44% from the field on the season. Bearcats point guard Mya Jackson as the veteran point guard is averaging a smooth 13 points per game in her first season as a Bearcat.
The Bearcats (7-7) will be back in action this Saturday at 2 pm when they welcome in Temple (6-8) to Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats are in for a huge weekend as coach Heard and the Bearcats look to set the tone ahead of the men’s teams big game versus No. 2 Houston on Sunday. Coach Heard gave a strong message ahead of this Saturday’s home conference opener.
“I just want people to come out and really support this group,” said Clark-Heard. “We need the support, I think when people come out and watch and see how we play, get up and down the floor, how we play on both sides of the ball, I feel like they will really enjoy it. Every game on the schedule the rest of the season is a big one for us.”
