By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Cincinnati, OH---Jordyn Bond scored 19 points in her first game since Feb. 6 to propel the No. 9 Express women's basketball team past Sinclair Community College 88-65 in a district semifinal matchup tonight.
The win, which avenges the Express loss to Sinclair in last year's district semifinals, moves the Express into the championship game tomorrow at 3 p.m. vs Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.
Bond totaled 19 points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes, while Mackenzie Heacock added 19 points, four assists and three rebounds.
Uniqua Mitchell added 16 points and seven rebounds, and Karahn Scott had 15 points and nine rebounds.
Meshia Smith had a team-high 11 rebounds, along with two assists and two blocks.
The Express only led by five points with less than 10 minutes left in the first half, but stretched the lead to 16 at the break.
In the second half, the Express attacked the glass and got a lot of easy baskets. They led by as many as 32 (78-46) late in the second half.
The Express outrebounded Sinclair 56-38 overall and 20-13 on the offensive glass.
From the field, the Express finished 39-for-81 overall, 4-for-17 from 3-point range and 6-for-13 from the foul line. Meanwhile, Sinclair finished 24-for-69 overall, 3-for-17 from 3-point range and 14-for-21 from the foul line.
Sinclair's Lianna Innocent scored a game-high 29 points on 10-for-22 shooting. She also added a game-high 13 rebounds. Riley Weng added 15 points for the Tartan Pride.
Notes
The Express (24-7) will now face Cincinnati State in the district championship for the second time in three years. The Surge are the two-time defending district champions.
