Despite 14 points from Bianca Quisenberry, the Cincinnati Bearcats were unable to knock off a solid UCF Knights team on the road Tuesday night, falling 64-44 while watching their five-game winning streak fall by the wayside.
Quisenberry was the only player to score in double figures for the Bearcats (14-6, 5-2 American Athletic Conference) and even she had trouble getting there. She made only 5-of-13 shots from the field and missed all four of her three-point tries. UC struggled as a whole from long range, going just 1-of-10 from distance. Angel Rizor started in place of Shanice Johnson and had nine points and eight rebounds, but the absence of Johnson obviously took a toll on the Bearcats, who were dominated on the boards (40-19). There was no word on why Johnson missed the game or when she will be back.
UC also hurt itself by fouling far too often, sending UCF to the line for 36 foul shots. Meanwhile, UC had a total of 12 free throws, making nine.
UCF’s Laiyah Gregory poured in 22 points, powered by a perfect 12-of-12 effort at the charity stripe. Zykira Lewis added 15 points off the bench for the Knights (13-7, 3-4).
The fourth quarter was where it all fell apart for the Bearcats, who led 16-11 at the end of the first quarter and were only down by six entering the final frame. However, they were outscored 20-6 during the last 10 minutes.
The loss was certainly a reverse of fortune from the first meeting between these teams when UC pulled out a 63-57 victory at Fifth Third Arena.
Up next, the Bearcats will return home to face Tulane on Saturday.