The Cincinnati Bearcats (9-19, 2-13 AAC) welcomed in No. 25 USF (25-5, 14-1 AAC) to Fifth Third Arena for Senior Night as they honor their four seniors for their contributions to the program over the last four seasons. Bearcats guard Sofia Gritzali, Caitlyn Wilson, along with forwards Jada and Jadyn Scott are the four Bearcats who will walk for senior day this evening. All four, have spent their whole career here at Cincinnati doning the C-Paw alongside head coach Michelle Clark-Heard.
“I am really proud of this group,” said Michell Clark-Heard. “Of course, we aren’t finished yet heading into the AAC tournament next week. Just the grit, and who they are and what they brought to this program, all of the seniors have been with me. {Caitlyn Wilson} it seems like she has been here the whole time with me. I just love who they are, they are great teammates, they bring everything every day and I think that is the biggest thing for us, is to continue to build off of that heading into the AAC Tournament. We are going to miss them and we really appreciate everything they have brought to the program.”
Last time out
The Bearcats are coming off an overtime loss to UCF, where they fell 64-54 in overtime, despite erasing a 18-point deficit in the final seconds following a Braylyn Milton driving layup with 31 seconds left. Malea Williams finished with a new career high 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, in 35 minutes of play. Williams, leads the AAC in blocks, while currently sitting 49th in all of college basketball with 43 blocks on the season. Michelle Clark-Heard and the Bearcats will look to finish strong heading into the AAC Tournament early next week.
How it Happened
The Bearcats took an early 7-2 lead in the opening minutes as the Bearcats were looking to get the ball in Jillian Hayes and Mya Jackson’s hands early, as the two combined for the team’s first seven points. The Bulls would rally back following two quick made three pointers from Sammie Puisis to tie this game at 12 halfway through the first quarter after trading basket for basket in the opening minutes. Jillian Hayes, and Mya Jackson combined for nine of the team’s first twelve points. The Bulls however, responded with a nine point run to take an 19-14 lead over the Bearcats, after making seven of their last eight shots near the end of the 1st quarter. Sammie Puisis was putting the Bulls on her back here early as she went 5-of-5 from the field (all from deep) in the first quarter with a game high 15 points. Seems like Puisis just couldn’t miss, and she was making the Bearcats pay early. The Bulls would take and early 25-16 lead after the first quarter following a 12-2 run by the Bulls in the final three minutes of the first quarter.
The Bulls would keep their foot on the gas after starting the second quarter on a six to zero run controlling the tempo after a back-and-forth battle to start. The Bearcats started to lock in on Sammie Puisis, who scored 15 points in the first quarter, was held to zero in the second quarter. However, The Bulls were dominating on all ends of this one as they shot 80% from behind the arch in the first half, as it seemed like they simply couldn’t miss. Sammie Puisis and Elena Tsineke combined for 29 of the Bulls 43 first half points, as they propelled the Bulls to a 43-25 lead heading to halftime.
The Bearcats would exchange blow for blow in the opening minutes of the first half, before the Bearcats allowed a five point run that forced Michelle Clark-Heard and the Bearcats to call an early timeout trailing 50-31. The Bull were just lighting up from deep, and there was nothing the Bearcats could do to prevent them as it isn’t very often you see a team shoot 70 percent or higher from behind the arch in college basketball. The Bulls were just seeing triple baskets as everything seemed to fall for the Bulls here this evening despite the Bearcats finding ways to rally back, the deep ball was just to much for the Bearcats tonight. The Bulls took a commanding 63-37 lead heading into the fourth quarter as the Bulls continued to knock down shots from behind the arch and the Bearcats had simply no answer.
The Bulls would be too much to handle for the Bearcats this evening as they defeated them 85-55 on senior night. The Bulls showed why they are the best team in the AAC after their performance tonight as they finished the night shooting nearly 50% from the field, while shooting 60% from behind the arch. Sammie Puisis (21) and Elena Tsineke (28) combined for 49 of the Bulls 85 points. Jillian Hayes would record her tenth double-double on the season, as she continues to be a game changer on both ends of the court for the Bearcats.
However, Michelle Clark-Heard and the Bearcats will now start with a fresh slate heading into the AAC tournament next week. As of right now pending any changes within the standings it looks like they will play Tulane in the opening round on Monday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
