The UC Women Basketball team batted Wichita State, in an exciting matchup Thursday evening. UC starters included Caitlyn Wilson, Akira Levy, Emerita Mashaire, Jillian Hayes, and Malea Williams.
In the first quarter, the Bearcats led Wichita State 22-21, with the leading scorers for the Bearcats being Hayes, Levy and Wilson each with six points. Entering into the second quarter Witchita State went on a run, led by Asia Strong, who made some great defensive stops, as well as fast-break layups, which cause the Bearcats to take a timeout at the 4:58 mark in the second quarter, she helped push the Wichita State to 8 points, 32-24. Coming out of the timeout Jillian Hayes’s three-pointer put the Bearcats in striking distance. Williams made some timely defensive plays to keep the Bearcats close. Wichita’s, Strong continued to play strong under the basket, making some easy layups in transition. Levy had some aggressive runs to the basket as well as getting to the free throw-line. The Bearcats ended the half down 10, 40-30. Hayes led the Bearcats with 11 points.
Starting the third quarter The Bearcats came out shooting cutting the lead with a layup and hit a three-pointer to make the score 40-35 at the 8:30 mark in the third quarter. The Bearcats continued to maintain great defense throughout the quarter. Williams had some huge blocks to lead the Bearcats, Wichita continued their aggressive offense getting some favorable calls down the stretch. Bearcats took a timeout at the 4:19 mark in the 3rd quarter, with the score being 49-39. Witchita State’s the leading score through three quarters was Jane Asinde with 15 points. Milton ended the Bearcats scoring drought with a string layup to the bucket making the score 53-41. The Bearcats ended the quarter’s strong finish with a few three-pointers and fast-break points to put the Bearcats within 8 points to start the fourth quarter. With the score being 55-47. Bearcats leading scorers going into the fourth were, Hayes with 13 points, and Wilson and Levy with 12 a piece. Hayes continued in the fourth quarter with some impressive scoring, she took advantage of her matchup and in turn got some manageable buckets, Levy was aggressive in finding the open shooters Mashaire made a three pointer that cut the Wichita lead to 6, with the score being 61-55. The Bearcats took a timeout with 4:31 left in regulation. Down by 8 they were ready to give one last push. Out of timeout Jaydn Scott made a bucket to put the Bearcats within 6 points. Jaydn Scott followed up with getting followed the next offensive positions and went to the line to shoot 2. The score now is 63-59 with 3:13 left in regulation. Wichita State then traveled and Hayes followed the position up with a layup making the score now 63-61. DJ McCarty made some clutch shots down the stretch, to extend the Wichita State lead. She made a 3 pointer out of the timeout and followed with a layup, making the score 68-61. Wilson followed with a bucket of her own putting the Bearcats within 4 points with 1:00 left in regulation, Unfortnualy, Wichita continued with their aggressive offense down the stretch answering every Bearcat basket. The Bearcats ended the game losing 76-66. Bearcats leading scorer was Jillian Hayes with 21 points.
Cincinnati is now 7-8 overall and 0-3 in the AAC. On Sunday they will face ECU on the road at 1 pm on ESPN+.
