TicketsMUNCIE, Ind. – The University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team fell to Ball State, 83-63, on Thursday night in Muncie, Ind.
Freshman Caliyah DeVillasee, the reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Week, delivered the first 20-point game of her career, finishing with 21 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Three other Bearcats scored in double figures: Mya Perry (10), Reagan Jackson (10) and Kylie Torrence (10).
Cincinnati shot a season-low 35% from the field and went just 2-of-13 from beyond the arc (.154). Ball State countered with eight made threes, including seven in the first half, and shot 44% overall. The Cardinals owned a 16-rebound advantage, which resulted in 25 second-chance points.
Ball State opened the game on a 12-4 run, forcing a UC timeout with 5:10 remaining in the first quarter. Cincinnati held the Cardinals scoreless for a three-minute stretch before Ball State connected on its third triple of the period, and UC ended the quarter down 17-8.
The Bearcats trimmed the margin to eight in the second quarter with baskets from Torrence and DeVillasee and two free throws from Perry (31-23). Ball State’s Bree Salenbien scored eight points in the final minute to send UC into halftime trailing 39-23.
Cincinnati shot just 32% in the first half while the Cardinals hit at a 44% clip and knocked down seven threes (.500). UC finished the half without a made three-pointer.
DeVillasee pulled Cincinnati within 14 after converting an and-one with 6:40 left in the third quarter (47-33), but the Bearcats were unable to pull any closer than that, falling 83-63.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati returns home to host Canisius on Sunday afternoon inside Fifth Third Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.