Today the Bearcats welcomed in North Carolina A&T to Fifth Third Arena for a early afternoon tipoff. The Bearcats are coming in 6-4 on the season and are currently riding a two-game winning streak. North Carolina A&T are currently 3-6 on the season, but have found momentum as of late, as they have won three consecutive games heading into today’s contest with the Bearcats.
The starters for the Bearcats were Akira Levy, Jillian Hayes, Braylyn Milton, Malea Williams and Nevaeh Dean, as the Bearcats were looking to improve to 7-4 on the season, as they look to stay hot before kicking off play within the American Athletic Conference.
The Bearcats striked first as Akira Levy found a slashing Braylyn Milton for a quick basket to start the game. The Bearcats, However, responded with a quick 10 second violation on North Carolina A&T first possession, as the Bearcats were locked in on defense early here this afternoon. The Bearcats were really effective in getting the ball to the rack early, as they scored 8 of their first 10 points in the paint. The Bearcats really found their grove late in the first quarter as they were locked in on defense as they got stops after scoring on their final 5 possessions to finish the first quarter, where they took a 20-16 lead. The Bearcats were matching a very high paced tempo from North Carolina A&T as both teams were really looking to push the ball in transition early here this afternoon.
The Bearcats continued to establish the ball inside, as North Carolina A&T was really struggling with the Bearcats offense in the paint, as Clarissa Craig and Arame Niang really took over the game inside early. The Bearcats scored 20 of their first 28 points in the paint and that was the key factor throughout the first half, was the ability to get the ball to the rack early. The Bearcats pounded the ball inside throughout the first half and that was the changing factor as they scored 24-35 points in the paint, as they shot 48% from the field in the first half. The Bearcats were also winning the battle on the class as they out-rebounded North Carolina A&T 23-18 in the first half.
The Bearcats came out quick to start the second as they went on a 7-0 run to really open their lead up where the led 42-29. The Bearcats continued to get stops as they erupted for 11 quick points to start the 3rd quarter following a three from Akira Levy, consecutive layups from Jillian Hayes, that started the Bearcats run to start the 3rd quarter. North Carolina A&T really had no answer for the Bearcats inside, as they scored a quick 10 points inside to start the 3rd quarter. Sophomore guard Jillian Hayes completely took over the 3rd quarter as she started 4-4 with eight points to propel the Bearcats lead over the Aggies. The Aggies, however created some momentum late in the 3rd quarter after back-to-back threes to cut the Bearcats lead to 10, as the Bearcats led 55-45 heading to the 4th quarter.
