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Count it: The University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team has now won four-straight Big East games.

The Bearcats kept their winning streak alive Tuesday night, defeating Marquette University 60-46 at Fifth Third Arena to marking the team’s longest-ever conference winning steak.

“As a coach, you couldn’t be happier with the momentum we have and with the confidence we are playing with and my guys in the locker room,” said UC head coach Jamelle Elliott.

Coming off a close win against Seton Hall last Saturday, Cincinnati coasted past Marquette with a barrage of scoring and a relentless defense.

Bearcats’ senior point guard Bjonee Reaves found her shot early on in the game, knocking down four 3-pointers in the first half.

Reaves led UC with 15 points.

“I was shooting the ball with confidence,” Reaves said. “A couple of them just happened to be bank shots, but I think everyone today was shooting with confidence and it showed; and I think that is why the outcome was the way it was.” 

Reaves’ effort wasn’t the only component in UC’s win, as three other Bearcats also scored double-digit points. Dayeesha Hollins netted 14 points, while Jeanise Randolph and Chanel Chisholm added 12 and 10, respectively.

Cincinnati’s guards have consistently put up strong numbers in the team’s late-season run, and their energy on the court seemed only to have been amplified Tuesday as the team finished the game shooting 50 percent from the floor.

The Bearcats’ vigorous defense and press were also instrumental in their win, as the Cats forced 20 turnovers.

Cincinnati’s 39-22 lead entering the second half was its largest in conference play since

Jan. 23, 2007 at Georgetown when the Bearcats led 44-20. While UC slowed down in the second half Tuesday against Marquette, they still displayed a command of the game and coasted to an easy win.

After losing their first seven games in the Big East, the Bearcats have won seven of their past eight, and with the Big East
Tournament roughly two weeks away, the hot streak couldn’t have been more timely.

“We have a head of steam going at the perfect time of the year,” Elliott said.

Cincinnati is currently ranked 10th in the Big East and will not likely earn a trip to the NCAA tournament, but they must continue their recent surge if they are to challenge tough Big East opponents come tourney time.

The Bearcats return to action at 2 p.m.