A'riel Jackson, Jillian Hayes help Cincinnati women beat UCF 67-62 in Big 12 Tournament

Updated Mar. 7, 2024 11:23 p.m. ET

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A’riel Jackson scored 12 of her 14 points in the third quarter, Jillian Hayes had 11 points and 12 rebounds and No. 11 seed Cincinnati beat UCF 67-62 Thursday night in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament.

Hayes made just 1 of 6 from the field but hit 9 of 12 from the free-throw line and finished with three steals and a block.

The Knights closed the first quarter with a 6-0 spurt to take a 13-9 lead and scored the final eight second-quarter points to stretch their lead to 35-25 at halftime. Jackson scored nine points in a 14-2 run to open the second half, Laila Jewett answered with two free throws to tie it at 39-all but Jackson hit a 3 at the buzzer to cap a 15-6 run and give Cincinnati a 54-45 lead going into the fourth quarter and it was at least a two-possession game the rest of the way.

Kaitlin Peterson scored 11 of her 31 points in the fourth quarter to keep No. 14 seed UCF (12-17) in it but couldn't get the Knights over the hump. Peterson, who had 34 points in a 68-67 loss to Houston last time out, has scored at least 30 six times this season.

Malea Williams and Reagan Jackson scored 12 points apiece for Cincinnati.

The Bearcats play No. 6 seed West Virginia in the second round on Friday. UCF lost seven in a row to end its season.

___ Get alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here ___ AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

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