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The Cincinnati Bearcats women’s basketball team suffered a frustrating loss on Saturday afternoon. In their only contest of the week, UC fell 64-59 to a Tulane club that is now 5-0 in the AAC.
Cincinnati (11-6 overall, 2-2 AAC) dropped the game in New Orleans on the heels of a pair of league wins last week against UCF and Memphis.
Cincinnati fell behind early in this contest, facing a five-point deficit after the first quarter and trailing by seven, 24-17, at the break. Cincinnati was outmuscled on the boards all afternoon, losing the rebounding battle 46-38. The Bearcats also shot a measly .311 to Tulane’s .441.
Tulane’s propensity to turn the ball over kept Cincinnati in the game. Tulane’s 18 turnovers, 12 of which took place in the second half, enabled the Bearcats to fight their way back into the game in the fourth quarter.
After falling behind by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, Cincinnati took control of the game for much of the fourth frame. Cincinnati briefly led 57-56 with less than three minutes remaining. A bucket by junior forward I’Imari Thomas, who posted her fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds, gave the Bearcats the temporary lead.
The lead proved short-lived as Tulane post four of the game’s final five field goals to seal the victory. Junior guard Arsula Clark led the way for Tulane, impressing at every facet of the game. She nearly earned a triple-double, posting 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Cincinnati was led in defeat by senior guard Antoinette Miller, who scored 20 points in 38 minutes of action.
The Bearcats return home for a pair of contests in the coming week. Cincinnati returns to action on Wednesday night against the visiting Houston Cougars. On Sunday, the Bearcats host the Temple Owls. Both Temple and Houston find themselves in the broad middle class of the AAC, looking to turn things on in conference play in pursuit of an NCAA Tournament bid.
Check back with Down the Drive for full coverage of both contests.