The Cincinnati Bearcats stayed home for the tipoff against the Southern Methodist Mustangs. The Bearcats came off of a lost against the Memphis Tigers from last week, making them now 10-11 overall and 3-6 in the AAC. The last time the Mustangs went against the Bearcats, they took home a lost, 73-58. Their last win against SMU was carried by IImar’I Thomas who had 19 points in the game, Sam Rodgers 15 points and Antoinette Miller with 12 points, three people who are no longer with the team. However, this season, their top scorers are Akira Levy averaging 11.8 points per game and Jillian Hayes is averaging 11.7 points per game. This match up is definitely an unsure battle because both teams have been unable to dominant the other team consistently in the past 8 years. The UC conference record against SMU has been 6-4. The Mustangs did not play in the 2020-21 season due to the pandemic however they faced the Bearcats again this Wednesday evening.
UC starting five included Caitlyn Wilson, Braylyn Milton, Jadyn Scott, Jillian Hayes and Sofia Gritzali. For the start of the first quarter, SMU won the tipoff, however, Hayes scored the first shot of the night and the first steal. Hayes also got an and-1 off of a put-back shot. But the first quarter the Mustang was able to establish lead with a 8-0 run to end the quarter, 21-12.
UC left numerous points open from the paint and from midrange. The Bearcats shot 37% from the line in the first half of play. While the Mustangs scored 57%. Despite UC having 17 rebounds in the first half and the Mustangs managing 14 rebounds, the Mustang held the lead in the second quarter, 38-30. SMU greatest lead of the half was 8 points.
Levy had two big shots to start off the second half and Emerita Mashaire, followed with a three pointer. However, the Bearcats were unable to change the direction of the game. The Mustangs started to double team Hayes in the paint during the 3rd half. SMU when on a 6-0 run. The Mustangs managed to keep their momentum, leading with 10 points to end the 3rd quarter, 51-41. In the 4th quarter the Bearcats started to play full court defense. The Mustangs continued to increase their lead intentional foul draw, Jillian Hayes shot. Niang was sent to the line, made both free throw and then got a block at the other end. Levy made a difficult layup in the paint bringing the score with 3 points with 8 seconds to go. The Mustangs got sent to the line one last time. Then the Mustangs ran out the clock from a missed three. The Bearcats scored 41% from the line and and seven turnovers. The end score was 71-66. Hayes had a game high with 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Next, the Bearcats will be traveling to New Orleans, LA to match up against Tulane University on February 13th. Followed by that they have two more away games and two home games. One of those home games include University of Memphis, who the Bearcats suffered a lost from last week. However, they have a chance to even the score when the Tigers come to visit the Fifth Third Arena. All in all, the Bearcats took the lost and will be preparing to play the Tulane Green Wave next week.
