University of Cincinnati women’s basketball head coach Jamelle Elliott has agreed to terms of a contract extension and will remain at the helm of the Bearcats’ program through the 2017-18 season. It is a three-year extension of Elliott’s contract, for a total of six years.

In her third season, Elliott led UC to its most successful season in recent years. UC finished the 2011-12 season with a 16-16 record, which is a seven-game improvement from the previous season and the most wins under Elliott. The 16 victories is the most wins since 2005-06 when the Bearcats went 17-12. The Bearcats finished with a .500 record for the first time since 2006-07 and recorded four conference road wins – its most since becoming a BIG EAST member.

To cap the season, UC advanced to postseason play for the first time since 2005-06 and won its first postseason game in 10 years when it defeated Duquesne, 68-63, in overtime on March 16. It was Elliott’s first career postseason victory.

Elliott arrived at Cincinnati in May 2009 after spending 16 years at Connecticut – four as a player and 12 as an assistant coach alongside Hall of Fame head coach Geno Auriemma. She was a part of six national championships, including the Huskies’ 2009 undefeated championship run, and won a title as a player, helping UConn to the 1995 championship, the first in the school’s history.