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The Cincinnati Bearcats will return to the Women’s NIT for the second consecutive season, as they were among the field of 64 teams that was announced on Monday night.
BREAKING: 2019 Postseason #WNIT first-round matchups released!
— WNIT (@WomensNIT) March 19, 2019
DETAILS https://t.co/d0dn82RMsm pic.twitter.com/ANjMhb1XNS
The Bearcats went 21-10 this season and 12-4 in the American Athletic Conference. They are led by first-team all-league forward IImar’I Thomas, who is averaging 13.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and Antoinette Miller, who provides additional scoring, especially from three, and runs the offense, leading the team with 5.4 assists per game. The roster has plenty of depth beyond their two stars with AAC Newcomer of the Year Florence Sifa and three-point shooters Nikira Goings and Sam Rodgers.
In the first round of the tournament, the Bearcats will contend with Youngstown State.
First Look: Youngstown State
| Record | Scoring Offense | Scoring Defense | FG% | 3P% | FT% | Rebounds | Assist-to-Turnover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record | Scoring Offense | Scoring Defense | FG% | 3P% | FT% | Rebounds | Assist-to-Turnover |
| 22-9 | 69.1 PPG | 57.0 PPG | 42.2 | 33.7 | 76.9 | 39.1 per game | 1.1 |
Although the Bearcats missed on their NCAA Tournament aspirations in their first season under head coach Michelle Clark-Heard, there is no denying that they are on an upward trajectory. They made the WNIT last season after securing 19 total victories but lost to Michigan State in the first round. They will attempt to make it further this year, beginning with their first round matchup on Thursday.