Monday, February 01, 1999UC women upset No. 18 Tulane
The Associated PressNEW ORLEANS — For the first time in four years, Cincinnati knocked off a top 25-ranked opponent as Madinah Slaise scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the Bearcats' 70-51 upset of No.18 Tulane Sunday.
Cincinnati (15-6, 8-3 Conference USA) fought back early in the second half, then shut down a Green Wave rally, holding them to just six field goals in the last seven minutes.
“I thought we worked hard. I thought we did the game plan, slowing the ball down and working the half-court offense,” UC coach Laurie Pirtle said. “The kids came through.”
Tulane (17-3, 8-2), opened the second half with a 13-4 run, including a pair of three-point baskets by Kiki Cizmar that tied the score at 28 with 15:15 left to play.
Candice Roberson's three-pointer gave Cincinnati the lead again at 31-28 with 14:58 left but Tulane scored six-straight points to take their only lead of the game at 13:06.
The Bearcats then used a 13-3 run, fueled by seven free throws, to reclaim the lead 44-37 at the 8:44 mark. They never trailed again.
Tulane's half-court trap slowed Cincinnati, which made its final basket at 3:58, but the Bearcats were 27-for-32 from the free throw line, including 13-of-17 in the final 3:29.
“I think we really need to stay on what got us here,” Pirtle said. “We've got to keep looking at getting better. We can take care of the ball a little better. We have to keep working hard and not getting satisfied.”
Tanya Kirk had 12 points for Cincinnati and Roberson added 10.
The last time UC had beaten a ranked opponent came on Feb. 5, 1995, in a 67-58 win over DePaul.
UC led 24-15 at halftime as The Green Wave shot a dismal 14 percent, making just 4-of-27 field goals and only 1-of-6 three-pointers.
The Bearcats have won seven of their last nine games. Tulane is the first ranked team Cincinnati has played this year.
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