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The Cincinnati Bearcats women’s basketball team improved their record to 5-3 this evening with a dominating performance against Southeast Missouri State (SEMO). UC beat the Redhawks 65-52 in front of a home crowd at St. Ursula Academy.
Cincinnati jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, thanks in large part to senior power forward Shanice Johnson. Co-captain Johnson dominated the low post in the early going, scoring eight of the Bearcats’ first 10 points. Johnson led the way for Cincinnati with her first double-double of the season, netting 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
UC and SEMO traded baskets for the remainder of the first quarter, enabling the Bearcats to hold onto a 19-10 lead after 10 minutes of play.
During the second quarter, Cincinnati took complete control of the game. A 12-4 UC run extended the Bearcats’ lead to 17 with less than five minutes remaining in the half. Cincinnati cruised to a 39-24 lead at the break.
The Bearcats continued to assert their dominance in the second half, holding a 57-39 lead after three quarters. The big lead enabled UC coach Jamelle Elliott to clear out her bench as 11 different Bearcats played this evening.
The Bearcats transformed 18 Southeast Missouri State turnovers into 24 points. 12 of the 18 Redhawks turnovers were forced errors. Johnson led the Bearcats in this department as well, procuring four of UC’s dozen steals this evening.
Three other Bearcats reached double figures this evening: Ana Owens (10 points), Iimar’i Thomas (12 points), and Nikira Goings (10 points).
Senior guard Adrianna Murphy led the way for the Redhawks with 15 points. Southeast Missouri State falls to 4-4 with the defeat.
Tonight’s victory marks the end of the Bearcats’ seven game, non-conference homestand. Cincinnati returns to action this Sunday at 2 PM in Norfolk, Virginia. They will be playing the Old Dominion Monarchs of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
Down the Drive will provide full coverage of the Bearcats’ matchup with the Monarchs.