The Bearcats welcomed the UCF Knights to Fifth Third Arena on Saturday and were looking for back to back wins for the first time all season. UCF was going to be a very tough challenge for the Bearcats though as they came 8-2 and on top of the American Athletic Conference. The Bearcats were 4-12 coming into today’s matchup and were looking to help their chances in climbing the conference. The starting lineup was Caitlyn Wilson, Jada Scott, IImar’I Thomas, Jillian Hayes and Arame Niang. Could the Bearcats get back to back wins for the first time all season?
The first period started off back and forth as IImar’I Thomas grabbed a quick four points and a block as they were tied with UCF 6-6. But a UCF run caused the Bearcats problems early as a 9-0 run had UCF up 15-6. Jada Scott was able to get a bucket to end the run, but after that, both teams were held without a basket for the final two minutes.
In the second quarter, the Bearcats finally got some momentum going as they were able to cut the lead down to 2 with 6 minutes to go in the half. Arame Niang and IImar’I Thomas made some key buckets to be able to cut the lead, but unfortunately, the Bearcats couldn’t get the last push to draw even. UCF was able to make some tough shots and they connected on two last-minute buckets to push the lead to 7. The Bearcats leading scorer IImar’I Thomas was held to only eight points even though she shot 4-of-5 from the field. The UCF game plan was working and they were not able to go inside at all as Thomas was shut down in the first half. Would the Bearcats be able to make the comeback in the second half?
In the third quarter, the Bearcats started the quarter going back and forth with UCF to keep the lead at 5. But with 5 minutes to go in the second half the Bearcats lost momentum. They committed a bunch of turnovers late in the 3rd quarter and UCF was able to push their lead to 14. IImar’I Thomas was held to only 12 points in the 3rd quarter and the Bearcats seemed to be dismantled as they were down big heading into the 4th quarter.
IImar’I Thomas was finally able to get something going into the 4th quarter as she was ab;e to get 5 quick points and cut the UCF lead down to 12. But after that UCF poured it on in the end as each time the Bearcats were able to score the Knights would come back down and put their own bucket in to push down any momentum the Bearcats might have had. The Bearcats at least showed some girt in the end as sophomore guard Sophia Gritzali came off the bench and got a quick four points for the Bearcats on top of a steal. But the Bearcats would not be able to make the comeback and would fall to the UCF Knights at home 70-51.
The Bearcats’ leading scorer and leading scorer in the AAC, IImar’I Thomas was able to put on a 4th quarter scoring queue to put up 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting, three rebounds and a block to go along with it. Jadyn Scott had a nice game as she put up eight points on 4-of-6 shooting. Her sister Jadyn Scott also had a nice game as she put a quiet six points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out two assists. Unfortunately, though the Bearcats were not able to even get a lead this game and struggled on the game with 21 turnovers and only shooting 2-of-15 from three. The Bearcats fell to 4-13 on the year and 3-10 in conference play.
The Bearcats will be back on the grind as they travel to USF on Wednesday to take on the Bulls. This game was rescheduled as it was postponed earlier in the season due to covid issues. That game will tip-off at 7 pm on ESPN+.
