Per GoBearcats:
The University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team earned the No. 7 seed in the 2021 American Championship and will face No. 10 seed Memphis in opening-round action Monday, Mar. 8, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Tipoff is 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
The winner will play No. 2 seed UCF on Tuesday, Mar. 9, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
UC has won three consecutive games entering the tournament, including a 65-57 road win at Houston on Tuesday. IImar’I Thomas registered her fifth 30-point game of the season, pouring in 30 points and six assists. Caitlyn Wilson reached double figures for the eighth time in nine games, hitting four 3-pointers for 12 points.
THE MATCHUP WITH MEMPHIS
Monday’s matchup will mark the 60th meeting between UC (7-15, 6-12 American) and Memphis (4-14, 2-12). The Tigers own a 36-23 lead in the series, including a 5-3 mark at neutral sites. UC is 2-0 against Memphis at the AAC Championship, including a 94-52 victory in the quarterfinals of last season’s event.
UC and Memphis split a pair of meeting this season with the road team winning each time. Memphis claimed a 61-52 victory at Fifth Third Arena on Jan. 20 while UC earned a 73-62 win at Elma Roane Fieldhouse on Feb. 10.
LAST YEAR’S TOURNAMENT
UC reached the championship game of the 2019 AAC Championship, rallying from a 15-point deficit to post a 57-51 win over UCF. The effort resulted in the Bearcats first conference tournament championship game appearance since 2003 (Conference USA). The Bearcats earned the No. 3 seed a year ago after tying for second place with UCF.
