Per GoBearcats:
University of Cincinnati women’s basketball senior forward IImar’I Thomas has been named to the NCAA’s Weekly Starting Five for her performance in the Bearcats’ 76-67 overtime victory against Northern Kentucky in the season opener on Nov. 25 at Fifth Third Arena.
Thomas tallied 34 points, seven rebounds and six assists against the Norse. The AAC Co-Preseason Player of the Year, poured in 28 of her 34 points after intermission, including 13 points in overtime. She shot 14 of 23 from the floor after halftime, including a 3-pointer with 3:33 left in overtime that gave the Bearcats a 64-57 lead to help lock up the win.
It marks the second time in her career Thomas has been recognized with the NCAA’s Weekly Starting Five award. She poured in 20 points and 18 rebounds against Xavier on Dec. 16, 2018 to claim the honor as a sophomore.
Earlier this week, Thomas was named the AAC Player of the Week for her effort against NKU.
Thomas has eclipsed the 30-point plateau on two other occasions during her UC career. She netted 32 points against UCF on Jan. 12, 2020 before posting a career-best 35 points against Houston on Jan. 22, 2020.
A WBCA Honorable Mention All-American and unanimous First Team All-AAC selection last season, Thomas received AAC Player of the Week accolades three times and was a nine-time AAC Weekly Honor Roll recipient in 2019-20.
She also earned First Team All-AAC honors as a sophomore in 2018-19 and was tabbed AAC Freshman of the Year and a unanimous All-Freshman Team selection in 2017-18.
