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February 2, 2012
LACROSSE

Lacrosse To Play At Nippert Stadium For 2012 Season

CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team will return to Nippert Stadium to play its 2012 season.

“The seniors are really excited to finish their career where it all started four years ago,” said head coach Lellie Swords. “Nippert is such an amazing place to play, so we’re looking forward to returning to the stadium where the program started.”

Swords enters her fifth season at the helm of UC lacrosse and returns nine starters, including the program’s all-time leading scorer in senior midfielder Laura Simanski. She has scored a program-best 125 points and 115 goals in her career. After starting all 15 games, Simanski led the Bearcats in 2011 with 22 goals, including a team-best 11 free position goals. Additionally, UC returns five of its top six scorers. In addition to Simanski, the Bearcats return last year’s leading point-scorer junior attack Katie Kiriazoglou. She scored a team-best 34 points, including 16 goals and a team-high 18 assists.

The team also announced two game time changes, including Fresno State, now slated to begin at 12 p.m. Cincinnati will also now faceoff against Rutgers at 12 p.m. To view the complete schedule, click here.

UC opens its 2012 season when it travels to San Diego State on Friday, Feb. 17, at 10 p.m. Its home opener is scheduled for Saturday, March 17, against Iona at 12 p.m.

VIDEO: Coach Dayes on 2012 Recruiting Class

CINCINNATI– University of Cincinnati men’s soccer head coach Hylton Dayes announced a four-member recruiting class on Wednesday (Feb. 1). The four student-athletes will join the Bearcats for the 2012 season.

John Manga (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay), Jacob Martinez (Colorado Springs, Colo./Liberty), Gabriel Robinson (Easton, Pa./LaSalle), and Evan Talkers (Villa Hills, Ky./Covington Catholic) are the newest Bearcats and will join a young squad that started five true freshmen last season.

The Bearcats are coming off a 6-11-1 campaign in 2011, which ended with a 1-0 win against No. 11 St. John’s in Gettler Stadium. Four Bearcats were named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 100 Freshman list, including BIG EAST all-Freshman selection Cole DeNormandie, who was No. 14 on the list.

UC’s 2012 signees:

John Manga
F | 6-2 | 195 | Fr. | Lexington, Ky. | Henry Clay
High School:Three-time first-team all-state selection … 2011 Kentucky High School Soccer Coaches Association Mr. Soccer … 2011 National Soccer Coaches Association of America all-American … state champion in 2010 at Henry Clay High School … scored 40 goals with 13 assists as a senior.

Club:Played for Javanon SC … member of Region II Olympic Development Program team.

Personal:Born on April 15, 1994 … son of Jonathan Lumumba and Christine Yohali … native of Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Jacob Martinez
MF | 5-7 | 140 | Fr. | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Liberty
High School:An ESPN High School all-American … ranked No. 8 player in Colorado by TopDrawerSoccer.com … first-team all-state selection in 2010 … three-time all-Colorado Springs Class 5A Metro first-team choice.

Club:Member of the US Soccer Development Academy with Real Colorado … member of Olympic Development Program Region IV Interregional Championship squad … member of ODP Region IV travel team which trained and competed in Argentina in 2009 … member of US Youth Soccer National Champion semi-finalist squad in 2008.

Personal:Born on Sept. 3, 1993 … son of Bill Martinez and Suzanne Sylvia.

Gabriel Robinson
D | 5-9 | 170 | Fr. | Easton, Pa. | LaSalle
High School:Two time all-state selection … named 2011 Player of the Year by the Lehigh Morning Call and Lehigh Valley Express Times … three-time league all-star … third-team all-catholic team as a freshman.

Club:Currently playing with New York Red Bulls US Soccer Development Academy … won a pair of state championships with Philadelphia Soccer Club … four-year member of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association Olympic Development Program … ODP Region I captain for U14 and U16 squads.

Personal:Born on Aug. 3, 1994 … son of John Robinson.

Evan Talkers
F | 6-2 | 185 | Fr. | Villa Hills, Ky. | Covington Catholic
High School:Set Covington Catholic High School record with 55 career goals … scored 23 goals with 10 assists as a senior … two-time first-team all-state selection … three-time Cincinnati Enquirer first-team all-star … two-time all-Northern Kentucky first-team choice … ESPN Rise Magazine Breakout Performance Award winner in 2009 … three-time academic all-state honoree … three-year letterman in football … Cincinnati Enquirer first-team all-star as a kicker.

Club:Member of Cincinnati United Premier … finalist at ESPN Wide World of Sports Showcase in 2011.

Personal: Born on March 19, 2994 … son of former Bearcat soccer letterman Jeff and Annie Talkers.

February 1, 2012
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Hollins Scores 22 As Bearcats Cruise Past Marquette, 64-52

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Sophomore guard Dayeesha Hollins (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods/Michigan) led the University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team (11-11, 2-7 BIG EAST) to a 64-52 victory against Marquette (12-10, 3-6 BIG EAST) on Wednesday night at the Al McGuire Center. Hollins scored 22 points for her fourth 20-plus point game of the season.

“That win at Syracuse really got us going confidence-wise and getting off that losing streak. Getting a taste of victory got us going and playing as a team. We were coming in to play at a place that’s really tough to play at. Marquette is a team that’s really big and athletic. Somehow the last couple of games, we’ve been finding a way to win – by executing half-court defense and holding this team to 52 points. The difference is we have another guy stepping up on the offensive end and really giving us some good numbers.”

Bjonee Reaves (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) scored 18 points as she and Hollins combined for more than half of the team’s points. Despite shooting only 30 percent (10-33) in the first half, the Bearcats shot a season-best 57 percent (12-21) in the second half. UC got help from its 44 percent (7-16) 3-point shooting and held MU to just eight percent shooting (1-12) from behind the arc.

Cincinnati’s 64 points was the most it has scored against a BIG EAST Conference opponent this season and was its biggest offensive output since it defeated Virginia Tech, 66-55, on Dec. 28, 2011.

It took three minutes for both teams to warm-up, but Reaves was the first to make a basket by way of a 3-pointer. The Bearcats never trailed in the first half and built its lead to as much as seven, 29-22, off a Hollins’ 3-ball with 2:30 to go.

Despite finishing with a better first-half shooting percentage, Marquette (40 percent) went into the break trailing the Bearcats (30 percent), 29-24.

The Golden Eagles tied things up, 35-35, with 14:37 left on the clock, but then the Bearcats went on a 10-0 run – eight of which coming from Hollins – to make it 45-35 with 11:37 remaining. Marquette went scoreless for four minutes while UC built its lead to 15, 56-41, at the 6:23 mark. The Bearcats pushed its lead to as much as 18, 61-43, with 4:41 left and MU couldn’t get much closer as Cincinnati sealed the victory.

Marquette’s Katherine Plouffe recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds while Arlesia Morse pitched in 12 points.

UC returns home to host No. 15/17 Georgetown on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.

January 30, 2012
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Reaves Named To BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll

CINCINNATI – Senior guard Bjonee Reaves (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the week of January 30 after her performances at Villanova and Syracuse.

Reaves helped the University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team to its first conference win of the season at Syracuse on Jan. 28. With UC down one, she stole the ball with 27 seconds remaining and made a jumper with five seconds left to give the Bearcats the one-point win. She also recorded a team-best four steals.

In Cincinnati’s loss to Villanova, Reaves led all scorers with 20 points – all coming in the second half to help erase a 15-point halftime deficit.

Reaves is second on the team in scoring with 12.5 ppg and has made a team-high 49 shots from 3-point range. Her 2.8 assists per game ranks second, while her 35 steals ties for second on the team.

UC returns to action when it travels to Marquette to end its road trip on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m.

January 28, 2012
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Reaves’ Last-Second Jumper Gives UC First BIG EAST Win

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Senior guard Bjonee Reaves (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon/Neosho County (Kan.)) hit a jumper with five seconds remaining to give the University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team (10-11, 1-7 BIG EAST) its first BIG EAST win against the Syracuse Orange (13-9, 2-6 BIG EAST), 55-54, on Saturday afternoon at the Carrier Dome. With the win, head coach Jamelle Elliott is 2-0 in games played at the Carrier Dome.

“I can’t say enough about my team,” Elliott said. “I just told them in the locker room, there are a lot of teams in the country who get on a losing streak and their attitude changes and they feel sorry for themselves. I never felt that with my team. I knew that one of these games, we were going to come out on top if we stayed together and today it was a prime example of that. Everyone stepped up and gave us a chance to win.”

Kayla Cook (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) paced four Bearcats in double-figures with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-8 from the arc. Dayeesha Hollins (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods/Michigan) and Reaves contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Jeanise Randolph (Calumet City, Ill./Thornton Fractional North) recorded a double-double with 11 points to go along with 13 rebounds. It was Randolph’s first double-double since Feb. 19, 2011 when she registered 10 points and 11 rebounds against Providence.

After UC found itself down by one, 54-53, with 1:13 to go, Reaves made a steal in front of the Bearcats’ bench with 27 seconds to go, allowing Elliott to call a timeout. After the regroup, Reaves kept the ball and nailed the jumper, while Syracuse was left with no timeouts as time expired.

It began as a low-scoring affair, as both teams combined for only 11 points as the Orange led 8-3 with 11:30 left in the first half. The Bearcats then went on a 12-4 run during a five minute span to take the lead, 15-12, with 6:09 remaining. SU came within three, 23-20, with less than two minutes remaining, but Cincinnati ended the half leading, 27-22. It was UC’s first halftime lead since it had the 31-27 advantage heading into the locker room against USF on January 3.

The Bearcats pushed its lead to 10, 36-26, three minutes into the second half, but Syracuse turned up its intensity and narrowed the deficit before tying it up at 43-43 with 8:12 to go on a Phylesha Bullard bucket. UC regained the lead, but Hollins fouled out, leaving Cincinnati without its leading scorer for the final 3:50 of the contest.

Iasia Hemingway knotted things up once again, 50-50, with 2:24 remaining before putting the Orange up by a bucket with less than two minutes remaining. Cook sunk a three from downtown, but Elashier Hall’s jumper gave the Orange the one-point advantage, 54-53, with 1:13 left.

Syracuse was led by Hemingway with 12 points and Kayla Alexander with 11 points.

The Bearcats concludes its road swing when it travels to Marquette on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m.

Lee records UC's lone win in singles play

Complete Results 

CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati women's tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision against Bowling Green in its home opener on Friday night at the Western Tennis and Fitness Club.

Jasmine Lee earned UC's (0-3) lone win on the evening with a 6-4, 6-2 victory against Bowling Green's (2-0) Nikki Chiricosta.

The Falcons took the doubles point, sweeping the matches by scores of 8-3, 8-3, and 8-4.

Kristina Georgieva and Safiyya Ismail both pushed their matches into third sets before falling in tiebreakers. Sierra Sullivan also went three sets, falling 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 against Jessica Easdale.

Ashleigh Witte fell to Emily Reuland, 6-2, 7-6, and Carly Wilson dropped a 6-1, 6-0 decision against BG's Katie Grubb.

The Bearcats return to action on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. when they welcome Indiana to the Western Tennis and Fitness Club.


January 26, 2012
BASEBALL

Bearcats Baseball to be Broadcast Live on Real Talk 1160

Steve Jarnicki will provide play-by-play for 19 games in 2012

CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics has reached an agreement with Steve Jarnicki Productions to broadcast 19 Bearcats baseball games on Real Talk 1160 WQRT-AM during the 2012 season.

“The agreement with Real Talk 1160 to serve as the radio home to Bearcats baseball is one more element in the growth of our program and speaks to the appetite for UC baseball and UC athletics here in our community,” said Brian Cleary, UC baseball head coach. “We're happy to partner with Real Talk 1160 to further expose our program and our players to those who might not be able to join us at Marge Schott Stadium on a particular day.”

Steve Jarnicki will provide play-by-play for each broadcast, which for 17 of the 19 games will include a 30-minute pregame show that features an interview with Cleary prior to first pitch. Each Real Talk 1160 broadcast at Marge Schott Stadium will also feature a color analyst that will be determined in the near future.

"I’m excited to be able to broadcast 19 games of Bearcats baseball to the Cincinnati community on Real Talk 1160 this spring,” said Jarnicki. “Growing up in Cincinnati and attending many UC sporting events at a young age, Bearcats athletics has always meant a lot to me. With a first-class baseball facility at Marge Schott Stadium, and with several former players now in the major leagues, I hope to increase the exposure of the UC baseball program this spring on Real Talk 1160."

In addition to Bearcats baseball, Jarnicki serves as the voice of the Florence Freedom of the Frontier League. His previous broadcasting experience includes a radio play-by-play stint with the Sioux City (Iowa) Explorers and, for the past two seasons, Jarnicki has provided football and basketball play-by-play for Simon Kenton (Ky.) High School, the only high school in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky market to have their entire seasons broadcast live on the radio.

Fans outside the Real Talk 1160 radio market can listen to the games live on either RealTalk1160.com or GoBEARCATS.com. For all UC baseball home games that are not broadcast on Real Talk 1160, GoBEARCATS.com will carry a live stream of the action using in-house radio personnel.

The UC baseball team, coming off a 30-27 record and a fourth-place finish in the BIG EAST Conference standings in 2011, is in the middle of preseason training in preparation for its season opener on Feb. 17 against Purdue in Clearwater, Fla. as part of the BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge.

Season tickets for the 2012 UC baseball season are currently on sale. To purchase season tickets for all 30 home games at Marge Schott Stadium, contact the UC ticket office by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX or online at catstix.com.

2012 UC Baseball Broadcast Schedule on Real Talk 1160 WQRT-AM

Date                  Opponent                    Air Time (ET)
March 18          Michigan State             12:30 p.m. pregame show | 1 p.m. first pitch
March 21          Kentucky                      3:30 p.m. pregame show | 4 p.m. first pitch
March 24          at Louisville                  1 p.m. first pitch
March 25          at Louisville                  12:30 p.m. pregame show | 1 p.m. first pitch
March 28          at Dayton                     12:30 p.m. pregame show | 1 p.m. first pitch
March 31          Pittsburgh                    3:30 p.m. pregame show | 4 p.m. first pitch
April 1             Pittsburgh                    12:30 p.m. pregame show | 1 p.m. first pitch
April 7             South Florida                1 p.m. first pitch
April 10            vs. Wright State           2:30 p.m. pregame show | 3 p.m. first pitch
April 11            Nuxhall Classic, Day 2   TBD
April 21            St. John's                     3:30 p.m. pregame show | 4 p.m. first pitch
April 22            St. John's                     12:30 p.m. pregame show | 4 p.m. first pitch
April 28            Rutgers                        3:30 p.m. pregame show | 4 p.m. first pitch
April 29            Rutgers                        12:30 p.m. pregame show | 1 p.m. first pitch
May 5               at UConn (DH)             2:30 p.m. pregame show | 3 p.m. first pitch
May 6               at UConn                      11:30 a.m. pregame show | Noon first pitch
May 8               Miami (Ohio)                 6 p.m. pregame show | 6:30 p.m. first pitch
May 9               at Miami (Ohio)             5:30 p.m. pregame show | 6 p.m. first pitch

January 24, 2012
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Reaves Scores 20 In 62-53 Loss To Villanova

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Bjonee Reaves (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon/Neosho County (Kan.)) led the Bearcats with 20 points – all of which were scored in the second half – but it wasn’t enough for the University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team (9-11, 0-7 BIG EAST) to overcome a 15-point halftime deficit as it was defeated by Villanova (13-7, 3-4 BIG EAST), 62-53, on Tuesday evening at the Pavilion.

Reaves and Dayeesha Hollins (Cincinnati, Ohio/Winton Woods/Michigan) combined for more than half of UC’s output, as Hollins finished with 17 points.

After trailing 33-18 at halftime, the Bearcats outscored the Wildcats, 35-29, in the second half, and brought it within three, 52-49, with five minutes remaining. But Villanova iced all its shots from the stripe to hand UC its sixth-straight loss of the season.

The Bearcats kept it close in the opening minutes until a Lauren Burford 3-ball opened up a 12-4 lead for the Wildcats with 14:19 remaining. Hollins narrowed the deficit, 19-14, but then Villanova got hot from downtown, knocking down five 3-pointers in a row to build to its lead, 29-16, with 4:23 left in the first.

The Bearcats shot 35 percent in the first half, including 20 percent (1-5) from behind the arc and headed into the halftime break trailing, 33-18.

Cincinnati played a quick game of catch-up, as Hollins and Reaves nearly equaled the team’s first-half output within the first 10 minutes of the second half. Reaves, who didn’t score any points in the first 20 minutes, took control in the second stanza and made it a 44-37 game with 10:32 left.

UC kept chipping away at the VU lead, coming within three, 52-49, after a Reaves’ 3-ball with 5:04 remaining, but Villanova went on an 8-2 run in the final minutes and made all of its foul shots to maintain the lead and settle the 62-53 score.

UC had the advantage in the paint, 22-18, but was narrowly outrebounded by Villanova, 28-27.

The Wildcats were led by Burford and Laura Sweeney, who had 16 and 14 points, respectively.

Cincinnati continues its road swing when it heads to Syracuse on Saturday, Jan. 28 for a 4 p.m. tip.

January 23, 2012
MEN'S BASKETBALL

Bearcats Come Up Short Against No. 3/4 Syracuse

Wright scores 17, Gates produces seventh double-double of season

January 22, 2012
WOMEN'S TENNIS

Bearcats Fall at Miami (OH)

OXFORD, Ohio - The University of Cincinnati women's tennis team dropped its second straight match to open 2012, falling 6-1 at Miami (OH) on Sunday evening at Riverside Racquet Club.

Miami (OH) earned the doubles point, but the duos of Ashleigh Witte/Jasmine Lee and Carly Wilson/Kristina Georgieva pushed their respective matches to 8-6 finals.

Witte posted UC's lone singles win, defeating Riekie Honiball, 7-5, 6-4, for her first win of the season. At the No. 1 singles spot, Nimisha Mohan topped Lee, 6-4, 6-2, while Stephanie Danesis defeated Georgieva, 6-1, 6-2. Alix Thurman defeated Safiyya Ismail, 6-1, 6-0, Christina Raymond topped Sierra Sullivan, 6-2, 6-0, and Christine Guerrazzi defeated Wilson, 6-2, 6-4 to round out singles play.

Cincinnati (0-2) will welcome Bowling Green (1-0) on Friday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. at Western Tennis and Fitness Club. Admission is free.

Miami 6, Cincinnati 1

Singles competition
1. Nimisha Mohan (MIAMI) def. Jasmine Lee (CINCY) 6-4, 6-2
2. Stephanie Danesis (MIAMI) def. Kristina Georgivia (CINCY) 6-1, 6-2
3. Ashleigh Witte (CINCY) def. Riekie Honiball (MIAMI) 7-5, 6-4
4. Alix Thurman (MIAMI) def. Safiyya Ismail (CINCY) 6-1, 6-0
5. Christiana Raymond (MIAMI) def. Sierra Sullivan (CINCY) 6-2, 6-0
6. Christine Guerrazzi (MIAMI) def. Carly Wilson (CINCY) 6-2, 6-4
 
Doubles competition
1. Stephanie Danesis/Jessica Parr (MIAMI) def. Ashleigh Witte/Jasmine Lee (CINCY) 8-6
2. Christine Guerrazzi/Riekie Honiball (MIAMI) def. Sierra Sullivan/Safiyya Ismail (CINCY) 8-2
3. Nimisha Mohan/Ramona Costea (MIAMI) def. Carly Wilson/Kristina Georgivia (CINCY) 8-6
 
Match Notes
-Cincinnati 0-2
-Miami 2-2

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,5,4,6,3,1)

Fifth Third Arena sold out for its first Big Monday event

The University of Cincinnati plays host to its first Big Monday contest when the Bearcats welcome highly ranked Syracuse to a sold-out Fifth Third Arena at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be televised by ESPN and also can be heard on 700 WLW. Monday is also the annual "white out" game as fans are encouraged to wear white at the arena.

Both teams are coming off losses on Saturday. Cincinnati (15-5, 5-2 BIG EAST) suffered a 77-74 overtime loss at West Virginia. Cashmere Wright led four Bearcats in double figures with 17 points and a career-best seven rebounds. Yancy Gates posted a double-double with 10 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. Dion Dixon and Sean Kilpatrick tallied 12 points each. Syracuse (20-1, 7-1 BIG EAST) took its first loss of the season, 67-58, at Notre Dame. James Southerland led the Orange with 15 points.

Syracuse owns a 6-2 lead in the series, having won the last three meetings with UC. The Orange posted a 67-52 win at Syracuse last season on Jan. 15. UC has won its last three games against ranked opponents this season, all on the road.

GAME AT A GLANCE
Series Info: Ninth meeting; Syracuse leads 6-2 overall; Syracuse leads 2-1 in Cincinnati, 3-1 in Syracuse and 1-0 at neutral sites; STREAK -- Syracuse has won the last three meetings.
Last Meeting: Syracuse won last year’s meeting, 67-52 at the Carrier Dome on Jan. 15.
Coaches: Mick Cronin is in his sixth season at Cincinnati (102-82); ninth season overall (171-106). Cronin is 1-4 vs. Syracuse. Jim Boeheim is in his 36th season at Syracuse (876-302) and his 36th season overall (876-302).
Rankings: *Syracuse was ranked No. 1 in both the Associated Press poll and the USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll for Jan. 16. Cincinnati was not ranked in either poll.
Radio: 700 WLW; Dan Hoard provides play-by-play alongside color analyst Chuck Machock. Mo Egger is host/engineer.
TV: ESPN; Sean McDonough provides play-by-play alongside color analysts Jay Bilas and Bill Raftery. Bo Garrett serves as producer. Jeff Evers directs.
UC Twitter Page: @GoBEARCATS

STREAKS, STORYLINES & SIDEBARS
-Cincinnati is off to its best start in BIG EAST play at 5-2 since joining the league prior to the 2005-06 seaso-Dating back to last season, UC has won 10 of its last 13 regular-season BIG EAST games.
-The Bearcats saw their seven-game league road win streak end Saturday at West Virginia.
-UC has won its last three games against ranked opponents this season with each contest coming on the road.
-The Bearcats’ top win over a ranked opponent at Fifth Third Arena came against No. 4 Louisville, 101-80 (2/23/2003).
-UC’s last win anywhere against a team ranked as high as: No. 3 (at Illinois, 62-53 [1/23/63]), No. 2 (home vs. Louisville, 59-58 [1/21/67]) or No. 1 (neutral site vs. Duke, 77-75 [11/28/98]).
-The Bearcats are averaging just 10.5 turnovers a game this season and have committed less than 10 miscues in every BIG EAST game (7.1 turnovers per game in league play).
-Cashmere Wright is averaging 12.2 points while shooting 42.2 percent (27-of-64) from beyond the arc in the last 12 games. He has 61 assists with only 20 turnovers (3.1-to-1 assists-to-turnover ratio) during the stretch. He has only 17 turnovers in the last 11 games combined (1.5 per game).

January 21, 2012
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Bearcats Drop 51-34 Decision To St. John’s

CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team (9-10, 0-6 BIG EAST) was defeated by St. John’s (13-7, 5-2 BIG EAST), 51-34, on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats were led by Jeanise Randolph (Calumet City, Ill./Thornton Fractional North), who tied her season-high in points (10) and rebounds (7) before fouling out with 3:13 left in the game.

St. John’s 51 points were the fewest the Bearcats have allowed in the league this season.

Cincinnati got off to a sluggish start and was unable to score its first basket until the 12:51 mark. The Bearcats committed nine turnovers in the first 12 minutes of play, allowing St. John’s to take the 17-9 lead with 8:14 remaining. The Red Storm increased its lead to double-figures, 21-11, after a Eugenia McPherson 3-pointer with less than four minutes remaining.

UC continued to turn the ball over five more times as St. John’s ended the half on a 14-3 run to make it 32-14 at the break.

Cincinnati briefly shifted the momentum in the second half, starting on a 6-2 run in the first five minutes to make it a 34-20 game. Randolph cut it to a 10-point game, 34-24, with 13:02 left, as the Red Storm went on a seven-minute scoring drought. But UC struggled offensively and St. John’s continued to pull ahead before settling the 51-34 final.

Cincinnati’s 34 points were the fewest it has scored this season and its 25 turnovers tied a season-high. It shot just 32 percent (13-41), including a season-low 18 percent (2-11) from 3-point range.

The Red Storm was led by three players in double-figures, including Shenneika Smith (11) and Da’Shena Stevens and McPherson with 10 points each.

The Bearcats will begin a three-game road swing when it travels to Villanova on Tuesday, Jan. 24 for a 7 p.m. tipoff.


January 21, 2012
WOMEN'S TENNIS

Tennis Drops Season Opener at No. 20 Notre Dame

Complete Results

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The University of Cincinnati women's tennis team dropped its season opener, 7-0, at No. 20 Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon in the Eck Tennis Pavilion.

Jasmine Lee fell, 6-0, 6-2, at the No. 1 singles position against Kristy Frilling. ND's Shannon Mathews topped Kristina Georgieva, 6-2, 6-3, in the latter's first collegiate action after joining the team for the winter quarter.

Ashleigh Witte (2-6, 3-6), Safiyya Ismail (0-6, 1-6), Sierra Sullivan (0-6, 1-6), and Carly Wilson (1-6, 0-6) also dropped singles matches for the Bearcats.

In doubles, the Frilling/Mathews duo topped Witte/Lee, 8-3, while Britney Sanders and Katherine White defeated Ismail/Sullivan, 8-1. JoHanna Manningham and Julie Sabacinski topped Wilson and Georgieva, 8-4 to earn the doubles point and the 7-0 sweep.

Cincinnati returns to action on Sunday, Jan. 22, when it travels to Miami (OH) for a 3:30 p.m. match.