Per GoBearcats:
IImar’I Thomas scored a team-high 23 points and Cincinnati nearly erased a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit, pulling within 68-65 with 1:28 left, but fell to visiting East Carolina, 74-67, Sunday at Fifth Third Arena.
UC saw career-best performances from Jadyn Scott (11 points on 5-of-7 shooting with three assists) and Jillian Hayes (10 points and five rebounds).
ECU’s Lashonda Monk posted a career-high 32 points on 10-of-19 shooting with six rebounds, five assists, four steals and a trio of 3-pointers to lead all scorers.
UC tied its season-high with 24 turnovers against the Pirates’ swarming defense. ECU took advantage, converting the miscues into 30 points.
Despite that fact, the Bearcats refused to quit.
Trailing 68-65 with 4:46 left, UC went on a 12-0 run thanks to five points from Thomas, three points from Sofia Gritzali and baskets from Caitlyn Wilson and Jaydn Scott to pull within three with 1:28 remaining.
But ECU scored six of the game’s last eight points – all at the free-throw line – to earn the win.
UP NEXT
UC plays host to nationally ranked USF on Tuesday at Fifth Third Arena. Tipoff is 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
