TicketsPHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team came up short against Saint Joseph’s, 70-65, on Tuesday night inside Hagan Arena.
Despite being outscored by 12 in the third quarter, Cincinnati responded with an 11-2 run in the fourth to close the gap. The Bearcats pulled within two on multiple occasions late but couldn’t overcome the deficit.
Senior Mya Perry led the Bearcats with 19 points behind four three-pointers, notching her third straight game in double figures.
Freshman Caliyah DeVillasee added 15 points, five rebounds and four assists for the second consecutive game, while fellow freshman Kylie Torrence contributed 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Cincinnati shot 50% from three (8-16 3FG) but finished just 37% overall from the field and 50% at the free throw line (9-18 FT). Saint Joseph’s countered with 48% shooting and eight threes of its own.
UC opened the game on a 6-0 run before a late scoring drought allowed the Hawks to close the first quarter within two (13-11). DeVillasee tallied five early points to pace the Bearcats.
Cincinnati started the second quarter with a 7-2 run to force an SJU timeout (20-13). Perry hit her second three to extend the lead to five, but the Hawks answered with an 8-0 spurt to go in front. Perry connected on three of her final four shots of the half to send UC into the locker room with a 32-31 edge.
Saint Joseph’s took control in the third, outscoring Cincinnati 22-10 to build an 11-point advantage (53-42). The Bearcats shot just 25% (3-12 FG) in the period.
UC battled back in the fourth, using an 11-2 run over four minutes to pull within two (55-53). DeVillasee converted an and-one and Destiny Thomas added a layup with 1:15 remaining to make it 67-65, but the Bearcats’ final possession ended in a turnover as Saint Joseph’s held on for the 70-65 win.