Cincinnati defeated Delaware and Houston won its second consecutive game at the Athletes in Action Classic to highlight Saturday women's basketball action around The American.
Cincinnati 67, Delaware 59
Cincinnati used a 12-0 scoring run to break a 55-55 tie and win the game 67-59 against Delaware Saturday night in Fifth Third Arena. Cincinnati had four players register double-digit points, including freshman Ana Owens who tied a career-high with 22 points. Owens, sophomore Marley Hill (15 pts.), senior Chelsea Jamison (13 pts.) and junior Jasmine Whitfield (12 pts.) all tallied double-digit scoring for the Bearcats in the win over the Blue Hens. It was just the second time this season that four players have scored at least 10 points in a game.
Houston 65, Nicholls State 47
Houston took down Nicholls State, 65-47, on day two of the Athletes in Action Classic in Lubbock, Texas. The win evens Houston’s record at 5-5. After earning their first four victories by a combined total of 10 points, Houston (5-5) put away Nicholls early in the second half for their most lopsided win of the season. The Cougars led by as many as 26 points before finishing with an 18-point victory. Mariah Mitchell paced Houston with a career-high 15 points. The freshman is the fifth different player to lead UH in scoring in the team’s last five games.
East Carolina 65, Norfolk State 36
Jada Payne, I’Tiana Taylor, Jasmine Phillips and Abria Trice each scored in double figures as East Carolina topped Norfolk State 65-36 in its final non-conference game of the season Saturday night in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. Payne led all scorers with 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season, while Taylor added 10 points and 10 boards for her second double-double of the year. Trice scored 13 points on 6-for-12 shooting and Phillips added 12 points and four steals.
Indiana State 64, SMU 55
SMU could not overcome a slow start and fell to Indiana State, 64-55, in the first round of the St. John’s Holiday Classic Saturday afternoon at Carnesecca Arena. The Mustangs outscored the Sycamores 38-27 after the break after trailing by double digits in the first half. Gabrielle Wilkins posted a team-high 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench, while Alicia Froling and Morgan Bolton also scored in double figures, chipping in 10 points apiece. Indiana State shot just 33.8 percent from the field. SMU has held their opponents under 40-percent shooting in all but one game this season.
Middle Tennessee 79, UCF 57
UCF (4-7) dropped their nonconference finale to Middle Tennessee, 79-57, Saturday afternoon in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The Knights put the Blue Raiders (5-4) in the bonus in the first four minutes of the second half, and the reigning Conference USA champion was able to make good on 18-of-22 from the line the rest of the way to cruise to the win. Freshman Aliyah Gregory led the Knights with a career-high 22 points for her fifth game of double digits in her last six outings. Sophomore Zykira Lewis chipped in 19 points and senior Yanique Gordon finished with a game-high nine rebounds.