The Cincinnati Enquirer

UC head basketball coach Laurie Pirtle got her 250th career victory. (Ernest Coleman photos) | ZOOM |

Debbie Merrill puts one up over DePaul's Jamie Smith. (Ernest Coleman photos) | ZOOM |

Valerie King take a shot in the first half. (Ernest Coleman photos) | ZOOM |

The University of Cincinnati defeated DePaul 71-67 in overtime Friday night at Shoemaker Center, giving coach Laurie Pirtle her 250th coaching victory and improving the Bearcats' position in Conference USA.

Debbie Merrill had 27 points and nine rebounds while also leading the team with five assists as the Bearcats improved to 19-5.

With the win and South Florida's victory over Charlotte, the Bearcats moved into a tie for first place with the 49ers. Both teams hold 9-2 conference marks with three games remaining.

Cincinnati, playing in its second consecutive overtime game, trailed by as many as seven in the second half before rallying to force OT.

DePaul went 0-for-4 and scored its first and only point of the overtime period on a free throw 40 seconds into the extra frame. UC went scoreless in the first 2:10 before Merrill nailed a turnaround jump shot and was fouled. She connected on the free throw to give the Bearcats a two-point lead.

Neither team was able to make a field goal the rest of the overtime, but K.B. Sharp hit two free throws with 8.6 left on the clock to seal the victory.

Sharp finished with 15 points and eight rebounds; Carolyn Alexander added nine points and nine rebounds.