Per GoBearcats:
The University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team fell to Purdue Fort Wayne, 84-58, in the second round of the WNIT on Sunday afternoon in Fifth Third Arena.
Playing their first game in 16 days, the Bearcats (14-18) could not overcome a slow start in which they were outscored by 15 in the first quarter. Cincinnati finishes the 2024 season with a 14-18 overall record.
UC shot 34.7% from the field and made just one three-pointer on six attempts (.167). The Bearcats committed 21 turnovers which resulted in 21 points for PFW.
Senior Jillian Hayes scored 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds to pace the Bearcats. She went 5-of-10 from the field and 7-of-10 from the charity stripe. Sophomore Destiny Thomas added 11 points (4-5 FG) and five rebounds.
Purdue Fort Wayne made 12 three-pointers (.414) and shot 44.8% from the field overall. PFW’s Shayla Sellers scored 22 with five 3-pointers.
Cincinnati struggled early and trailed by seven at the first quarter media timeout (15-8). Purdue Fort Wayne hit back-to-back three-pointers to lead by 15 after 10 minutes (27-12). UC shot 54.5% but committed seven turnovers, which resulted in 10 points for its opponent.
The Bearcats trailed by as many as 22 in the first half (36-14). Cincinnati made eight consecutive free throws to pull within 14 with under three minutes remaining in the half (36-22).
Purdue Fort Wayne went on an 11-0 run to start the second half and force a UC timeout (56-29). The Bearcats responded with eight straight, with five coming from Braylyn Milton (62-41). But Cincinnati would not get any closer than 18 for the remainder of the game, falling 84-58.
Cincinnati made its 14th postseason appearance and first since 2019. The Bearcats moved to 5-9 all-time in the WNIT.
