Today, the Bearcats woman’s Basketball team (5-4) will travel right down the road to Norwood where they will take on Crosstown rival Xavier (6-3) at 7pm at the Cintas Center. The Bearcats are looking to make it their fourth straight victory over the Musketeers, as they look to bounce back in the win column after a hard fought 66-58 loss to UIC on Sunday. While the Musketeers on the other hand enter this contest riding a two-game losing streak and will look to get their first win vs the Bearcats since 2017.
“I think this is one that you know both teams get really excited for, it’s a rivalry and that is why you either go to Cincinnati or Xavier,” said Xavier head coach Malanie Moore. “It is like the city either turns blue or red. This is a game we talk about during the recruiting process and the buildup of this game. It should be a great game. The Community should be in that gym at Cintas supporting both programs and I know they are behind us is very exciting. I know our team is looking forward to the challenge ahead come Friday night.“
Xavier head coach Melanie Moore knows a thing or two about rivalries, after spending some time at Michigan as an assistant coach before taking over the Musketeers in 2019, Moore has a lot of experience in these big-time games due to her experience at Michigan. The rivalry between both schools is something very unique as both schools are just separated by roughly three miles from one another, as players spend most of the offseason getting to know each other, workout with each other and so forth. Players and coaches know the emotions typically come with these big rivalry games, but for Moore and the Musketeers they know it’s all about their preparation versus a tough Cincinnati team.
“Our preparation has to be the same from game to game,” said Moore. “We know this game will bring some more heightened energy, but you have to keep the locker room the same. How you approach the game, your mental, how we prepare on the court has to be the same. We know the excitement is in the air everywhere you go around campus, and in the community, you look around, everyone is excited.”
The Bearcats come into this one 5-4 on the season and are led by Mya Jackson who second on the team in scoring as she is averaging 14.6 points per game, Moore is very familiar with Jackson, as Jackson comes to Cincinnati from Seton Hall where she spent her first three seasons before deciding to come home and join coach Heard and the Bearcats.
“Cincinnati is a very experienced team,” said Moore. “Mya Jackson always has great games here at the Cintas Center when she played with Seton Hall, and we know she is a challenge, and we have to be ready,” said Moore.
The Bearcats are led by Cincinnati native Jillian Hayes who is averaging nearly a double-double as she comes in averaging 15 points and 8 rebounds per game. Hayes, has been a key player for the Bearcats and has been a key reason for the Bearcats success, but bringing in someone like Jackson who has the ability to create for others and play inside out with Hayes, is something the Musketeers may not be used to.
“Jillian Hayes is having a great season. She is a tough matchup because she can play inside and outside,” said Xavier head coach Melanie Moore. “We know we will have our hands full. The biggest thing for us is we have to take care of ourselves. We have to stick to who we are as a team and grind it on both ends of the floor”
The Bearcats will take on the Musketeers tonight at 7 pm at the Cintas Center right up the road in Norwood as they look to make it four straight versus the Musketeers.
