The Knights came out with a quick 5-0 run, as the Bearcats had three straight turnovers to start the half, forcing coach Clark-Heard to call an early timeout to start the second half with this game tied at 27. The Bearcats responded with a huge 3 from Caitlyn Wilson, here 4th of the game to give the Bearcats the lead once again. The Bearcats knew they had to get stops on defense down the stretch as they were looking to make a statement within the American Conference. The Bearcats got a huge basket from Jadyn Scott right before the buzzer to give the Bearcats a 41-40 lead heading to the 4th quarter.
The Bearcats knew they’d have to lock in on defense here down the stretch as they were looking to get a huge win in conference play, but could they finish strong? The Bearcats knew it would come down to their defense as they were locked in, continuing to create stops, but the Bearcats were tied 49-49 before a huge three from Wilson reclaimed the Bearcats lead where they led 52-51 with 2:47 remaining. The Bearcats responded with a huge three from Milton to give the Bearcats a 4 point lead, but the Knights responded with a triple of their own to cut the lead to 1. The Knights then followed back with another triple to give them a 57-55 lead with just over a minute remaining, could the Bearcats fight back? After a huge stop on the defensive end by Jadyn Scott, that turned into a huge and-1 from Akira Levy on a made three to give the Bearcats a 59-57 lead with 11 seconds remaining. The Knights however, turned it over with 5 seconds remaining off the inbounds play, setting the Bearcats up to extend the lead in the final seconds as they held on to defeat the Knights 61-57.
The Bearcats were led by Caitlyn Wilson who finished with 17 points and five rebounds. Akira Levy with 13, including the big three with 11 seconds left, as well as five assists. Braylyn Milton with 12 points and seven assists, Jillian Hayes with 11 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists. A huge team win for the Bearcats as they improve to 9-9 on the season, (2-4 AAC). The Bearcats are on a roll now after a huge win here at Fifth Third Arena versus a very dominant UCF team who came into the game 12-2. The Bearcats were locked in on defense and that was the key to this game was taking control of the ball and scoring off the Knights turnovers.
The Bearcats will be back in action this Wednesday when they travel to Philadelphia as they look to make it three in a row in conference play.
