The Cincinnati Enquirer

UC's K.B. Sharp heads in for a layup. | ZOOM |

UC's Carolyn Aexander is almost hit in the face by a loose ball. (Ernest Coleman photos) | ZOOM |

Debbie Merrill scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Cincinnati, the No. 25 team in the Associated Press poll, defeated Dayton 73-48 Wednesday.

Merrill was 10-of-12 from the field and 2-of-3 from the line as the Bearcats shot 51 percent (31-of-61) in their home opener. Valerie King had 19 points for UC (1-1).

Emily Williams scored 11 points to lead Dayton (1-2), which trailed 34-18 at halftime.

DAYTON (1-2) - Allen 2-6 0-0 5, Haselman 0-1 0-0 0, Sullivan 3-3 0-0 6, Donovan 0-3 0-0 0, Miller 3-10 2-2 9, Alcius 1-4 0-0 3, Williams 4-7 0-0 11, Burns 3-6 0-0 6, Schloss 0-2 0-0 0, Strong 1-2 0-0 2, Stull 3-7 0-0 6, Cape 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-52 2-2 48.

CINCINNATI (1-1) - Alexander 4-8 0-0 8, Young 1-5 2-2 4, Merrill 10-12 2-3 22, Sharp 3-8 0-0 6, King 7-18 2-2 19, Dozier 0-0 0-0 0, Harvey 4-5 1-1 10, Piepho 0-0 0-0 0, Hillman 1-3 0-0 2, Stevenson 1-1 0-0 2, Stephens 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-61 7-8 73.

Halftime-UC 34-18. 3-Point goals-UD 6-12 (Williams 3-3, Alcius 1-1, Miller 1-2, Allen 1-3, Strong 0-1, Donovan 0-2), UC 4-16 (King 3-8, Harvey 1-1, Hillman 0-1, Alexander 0-1, Young 0-2, Sharp 0-3). Rebounds-UD 27 (Burns 5), UC 31 (Merrill 11). Assists-UD 12 (Allen 3), UC 15 (Sharp 4).