Per GoBearcats:
University of Cincinnati women’s basketball senior forward IImar’I Thomas (first name pronounced ee-MAR-ee) was named the American Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Week and entered Monday ranked second in the nation in scoring, averaging 27.6 points.
USF’s Bethy Mununga shared the league’s award with Thomas.
Thomas put forth another standout effort Saturday in Cincinnati’s 65-59 win at Wichita State, tallying a game-high 24 points with a season-best 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. She shot 8 of 18 from the floor and 8 of 9 from the free throw line. It marked her first double-double of the season and the 17th of her Bearcats career.
The Oakland, California, native has scored at least 23 points every game this season and has recorded a trio of games with 32 or more points.
AMONG THE NATION’S BEST
Thomas entered Monday atop The American and ranked among the nation’s top 20 leaders in seven categories: points per game (second at 27.6), field goals made (fourth at 73), total points (seventh at 193), minutes played (11th at 38.8), free throws made (14th at 46), free throws attempted (19th at 55) and field-goal percentage (20th at .613).
Only Middle Tennessee’s Anastasia Hayes (28.6) is averaging more points than Thomas nationally.
AMONG UC’S BEST
Thomas’ impact on UC women’s basketball is peppered throughout its record book. Through seven games this season Thomas ranks among UC’s best in multiple career categories: field goal percentage (first at .599), blocks (third at 110), rebounds (fifth at 751), points (eighth at 1,549) and rebound average (eighth at 7.0).
30-POINT PERFORMANCES THIS SEASON
Thomas recorded her third 30-point performance of the season two weeks ago in UC’s 73-61 home loss to then-No. 20 USF (Dec. 22), registering 32 points on 13-of-20 field goal shooting and 6-of-10 free throw shooting to go with six rebounds, five assists and four steals. The effort helped Thomas eclipse 1,500 career points as a Bearcat, only the ninth player in program history to accomplish the feat.
She scored a season-high 34 points in a 73-67 overtime win against Northern Kentucky (Nov. 25) in the season opener and produced 32 points in an 86-75 setback to Marquette (Dec. 10).
AAC AWARDS
The AAC’s Preseason Co-Player of the Year, Thomas has garnered player of the week accolades twice and been selected to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll twice.
Thomas garnered WBCA Honorable Mention All-American and unanimous First Team All-AAC selection last season. She 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.
UP NEXT
Cincinnati (2-5, 1-2 American) plays a pair of home games this week beginning Wednesday, Jan. 6 against Tulsa (1-3, 0-3). Tipoff is 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Bearcats welcome Tulane on Saturday, Jan. 9. That contest starts at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
