Women’s Basketball Hangs Tight with UConn, Falls 65-55

The Cincinnati Bearcats women’s basketball team put on a fantastic performance yesterday afternoon. They hung tough against the UConn Huskies, the nation’s top program. Unfortunately, Cincinnati still fell, 65-55, dropping to 14-8 on the season while holding tight to third place in the American Athletic Conference standings at 6-3.

Senior guard Nikira Goings led the way for Cincinnati, posting 10 of her team-high 14 points in the second half. In front of a large crowd at Fifth Third Arena, Goings led the Bearcats back within striking distance in the second half, cutting a 38-23 halftime deficit to as few as eight points in the fourth quarter.

UConn shot just below 40 percent for the evening, a mark nearly matched by the Bearcats. While the outcome of this one was in doubt less than the scoreboard indicated, the strong showing demonstrates that Michelle Clark-Heard’s team has reached the upper echelons of the AAC.

Cincinnati returns to action next Sunday against Wichita State. The game will be a home contest at Fifth Third Arena and it will be televised on ESPNU beginning at 2 pm.

Check back with Down the Drive for continued coverage of Bearcats women’s basketball.