Tulsa Stuns Women’s Basketball in Home Finale, 78-61

The Cincinnati Bearcats’ women’s basketball team concluded their regular season tonight in less than desirable fashion.

They were hammered by a previously listless Tulsa Golden Hurricane team that won just their ninth game of the season.

On Senior Night, the visitors from Oklahoma defeated the hometown Bearcats by a score of 78-61.

Tulsa, who shot nearly 50 percent field the field, held a five point lead at the half, 34-29. The Golden Hurricane broke things open in the third quarter, outscoring the Bearcats 31-17 during the frame and putting the game away.

Four different Tulsa players reached double figures: Ashley Hughes (18), Erika Wakefield (15), Liesl Spoerl (14), and Tatyana Perez (10). Point guard Hughes dished out eight assists and foiled UC’s frequently pressing defense all evening.

Playing in her last home game, Bearcats standout senior Bianca Quisenberry led the way for Cincinnati with 20 points. The ever reliable Shanice Johnson also contributed 17 for Cincinnati.

With the win, Tulsa improved to 9-20 overall and 5-11 in the AAC. The loss dropped the reeling Cincinnati Bearcats to 16-13 overall with a 7-9 mark in league play. Cincinnati has doubled its win totals (8) from both 2015-2016 and 2014-2015, but the lack of competitiveness the team has shown in many of its recent games is disconcerting for those of us who believe that this program has finally turned the corner.

Cincinnati will either be seated 5th, 6th, or 7th in the AAC Tournament, which begins on Friday. Keep your eyes open later this week for a full preview of the AAC Conference Tournament here on downthedrive.com