Books and Basketball

Saturday afternoon the women's basketball team faces another top 25 team when they travel to South Bend.  Notre Dame is ranked as high as #13 in one poll.  Taking on top ranked opponents is only half of the battle these players encounter each and every day.  Remember, they are students  as well as athletes.   David Harding found out that the women's basketball team has quite a juggling act between the basketball and the books.

Bearcat Sports Page.com wold like to thank Uptown for sharing this story with us.  Uptown is a news show put together by students in Electronic Media out of CCM.  Just like Bearcat Sports Page.com it is a class offered by Electronic Media and the stories done by students are part of their quarterly grade.

#1 Comes To Town

Saturday night the best women's college basketball team in America will be playing at Fifth Third Arena against the UC Bearcats. The UCONN Huskies are undefeated and ranked #1 in every poll. Bearcat Sports Page.com stopped by practice Thursday to talk to Coach Hall and the players about their up coming contest. We got there for the end of practice and got to hear Coach Hall and his staff address the team. The message was clear, stay positive and use this game to get better for the rest of the year. The seasons goals are a much bigger picture than just one game.

By no means is Coach Hall telling his team they have no chance against UCONN. Anything can happen, but reality can't be ignored. Last week the Huskies beat Syracuse 103-73 then in their most recent game they traveled to Chapel Hill to take on the #2 ranked Tar Heels, they beat UNC by 30, 88-58. We asked Coach Hall how good is this UCONN team?

Third Win Is a Charm

The Bearcats faced a tough conference opponent Saturday night at Fifth Third Arena when Seton Hall came to town. The Pirates took control of the game in the first half leading 37-30 going into half time. In the second half the Bearcats came out swinging, posting a 10-3 run, tying the game at 40-40. Shanasa Sanders and Shelly Bellman had a big hand in the second half, helping UC oiut score Seton Hall 42-25. As time expired the Bearcats came out with the victory, 72-62. Sanders, a freshman point guard, lead the Bearcats with 25 points and 9 rebounds. Kahla Roudebush wasn't far behind with 20 points. That was the fifth time in the past six games she has reached the 20 point mark. This win gives the Cats a 3-1 conference record and 13-4 overall. Here are the highlights from the final few minutes of this exciting, and big win.

Up Next the Bearcats travel to Louisville for a game Tuesday January 20 8:00 tip time.

Seton Hall Saturday At 5/3 Arena

The women try again to get their third Big East win Saturday night at Fifth Third Arena when they host Seton Hall.  The Pirates are coming of of a big road win earlier this week over Syracuse 70-66, a team that beat UC last Saturday by one point.  The Cats know how important it is to win at home and the key to Seton Hall is their inside game.

Saturday January 17     Seton Hall @ Fifth Third Arena  7:00 Tip Time.

Confidence Not Shaken by Syracuse Loss

A year ago the women's basketball team won only 2 Big East Conference games the entire season.  So the fact that they were looking at going 3-0 last Saturday shows how far this team has come.  That however, doesn't make the heartbreaking loss any easier to swallow.  Jasmine Logan stopped by practice Tuesday and found a team that is putting Syracuse behind them and setting their sights on Seton Hall.

We want to thank Coach Hall, his team and the women's basketball staff for allowing us access to practice.  Along with Sports Information Director Jeremy Martin this is an extremely easy group to work with.

UP NEXT:  Seton Hall  Saturday January 17 @ Fifth Third Arena  7:00

Oh So Close to 3 an O

In the night cap of the basketball double header Saturday at Fifth Third Arena the women's team was trying to get their third conference win. Syracuse came in with with a good team (12-3) and confidence after knocking of Rutgers earlier it the week. The Bearcats jumped out to a 21-6 lead early on but Syracuse is a good team and they battled back. In the final minute of the game with the score tied at 70 UC had the ball and Kahla Roudenbush drove the basket and her shot was blocked from behind. Replays would show that she was clearly fouled on the play. Later with 7 seconds on the clock and The Orange up 71-10 Syracuse missed their second free throw and UC had the final shot, it just didn't fall. Courtesy of out friends at Fox Sports Network, here is are the final plays. First you will see the play where Kahla drove and did not get the foul called. Then we jump ahead to the final shot after the missed free throw with Syracuse up 71-70

This was a heartbreaking loss for Head Coach J Kelley Hall and his team. The consolation that they lost to a good team probably won't sit well considering they were up by as many as 15 early on. The Cats have a week off until they host Seton Hall next Saturday night at Fifth Third Arena, Game time 7:00.

Tremendous Turn Around

Wednesday night the women's basketball team went on the road and picked up their second conference win at West Virginia and improved their overall record to 12-3. Along with the impressive win in Morgantown, the Bearcats have also beaten a top 25 team in Xavier. Is this team surprised at their early success and quick start?

Just like on the men's side it doesn't get any easier. Saturday evening the Bearcats welcome in an equally "hot" Syracuse team. While the Cats were beating West Virginia the Orange were knocking of a top 25 team in Rutgers. This will certainly be a test for this young and developing team.

This time last year the Bearcats had just won their first Big East game of the season by upsetting Georgetown and handing Coach J. Kelly Hall his 300th career win. From that point the Cats would only win one more conference game in what would be a long season. Injured players, new coach, young players....what a difference a year makes.

Saturdays game against Syracuse is part of a double header with the men's team. The women's game starts at 7:30 and is free for anyone that went to the men's game against UCONN earlier in the afternoon. For those unable to make it to Fifth Third Arena the game will be carried on Fox Sports Network (FSN Ch #43 on Time Warner Cable). Game time is 7:30.

Ladies First?

Don't look now but your women's basketball team is tied for first place in the Big East. Okay, the season is young...but they are 2-0. Wednesday night they notched win #2 ( 12-3 overall) at West Virginia by a score of 61-55. Kahla Roudenbush ( Jr- Secondary Education) dropped in 24 points and team mate Jill Stephens (Sr- Audiology) had a double double. The Bearcats begin a 3 game home stand this Saturday against Syracuse. We will have more on this game Friday, but Syracuse upset #17 Rutgers earlier this week. Game time 7:30. As part of a doubleheader with the men ( UCONN at 4:30) you can stay and watch the women's game FREE.

Women On A Roll

The UC women's basketball team takes their show on the road Wednesday night to West Virginia in search of their second conference win in as many tries. Last weekend the Cats knocked off Villanova for their 10th win of the year.  This will only be the 4th road game for Coach Halls squad, with a win at Dayton and losses at Kentucky and Michigan.

Game time is 8:00 and you can follow all of the action by visiting Go Bearcats.com where you can listen to the game live or use game tracker.  Just click here.

Bearcat Sports Page.com will have a follow up with the team when they get back to campus later this week.

Women Win Big East Opener

Coach J. Kelley Hall and his Bearcats got the new year started of on a positive note by winning their Big East Conference opener.  Villanova paid a visit to Fifth Third arena and left with a 61-54 loss.  UC was led by Kahla Roudebush with 19 points and Jill Stephens who contributed 15 points and 8 rebounds.  This gives the Bearcats an impressive 11-3 record overall. 

For more detail information on the win go to: Go Bearcats.com

Next Game:  Wednesday Jan 7 @ WVU 8:00

UC BEATS XAVIER

For the second year in a row the UC Bearcat women's basketball team upset their crosstown rival, the Xavier Musketeers.  Xavier came into Fifth Third Arena with a #23 ranking and led by one at halftime with the lead growing to three with around five minutes left in the game.  Then the Bearcats went on an 11-0 run and never looked back.  Congratulations to head coach J. Kelly Hall and his team for a huge win.

Crosstown Today

The womens Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout tips off today at 2:00 inside Fifth Third Arena. Earlier in the week the event was nearing a sellout. That would be the third sellout in a row. Last years UC upset the Muskies in the Cintas Center in Coach J. Kelly Hall's first year. Today Xavier comes in ranked #23, but just like we have found out in the men's version over the years....rankings mean nothing.

Today's game is also a celebration of women's athletics in Cincinnati. The gates open at 12:30 with fan giveaways and autograph sessions with current UC and Xavier female student athletes. Halftime will be an Olympic celebration that will include UC gold medalist Mary Wineberg. Tip off for the game is 2:00 This years crosstown shootout will be televised on the Fox Sports Network.

Women's Basketball Preview

The Weekend Cat Attack

This weekends Bearcat Sporting Events:

Men’s Basketball
Cincinnati vs. Carleton University (Exh.)
Day: Saturday
Date: Nov. 1,2008
Location: Fifth Third Arena
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
The Men’s Basketball team take on Carleton University at their 2008-09
exhibition season opener.

Women’s Basketball
Cincinnati vs. Northern Kentucky (Ex)
Day: Saturday
Date: Nov.1,2008
Location: Fifth Third Arena
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
The Women’s Basketball Team take on the Northern Kentucky Basketball Team in their exhibition game. Hopefully the Bearcats can bring home another victory against the Norse.

Women’s Soccer
Cincinnati @ Notre Dame
Day: Sunday
Date: Nov. 2, 2008
Location: Notre Dame, IN
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
The Women’s Soccer Team travels to Indiana to take on the University of Notre Dame to take on the Women’s Soccer Team for the Big East Quarterfinals

Women’s Volleyball
Cincinnati vs. Georgetown
Day: Sunday
Date: Nov. 2, 2008
Location: Fifth Third Arena
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
The Women’s Volleyball team takes on Georgetown at home this weekend. The Beacats are entering this weekend ranked in Second place in the Big East while Georgetown is in Sixth.