TicketsNAPLES, Fla. – The University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team held on for a 63-60 win over New Mexico on Saturday in Naples, Fla.
Cincinnati swept the Florida Gulf Classic to improve to 4-4 on the season.
The Bearcats led by eight with five minutes remaining before the Lobos rallied to tie the game. New Mexico took a one-point lead following a 3-pointer, but Alliance Ndiba answered with the go-ahead layup. UC held the Lobos scoreless over the final two minutes to close out the 63-60 victory.
Three Bearcats scored in double figures: Mya Perry (16), Reagan Jackson (15) and Destiny Thomas (10). Thomas recorded a season high in scoring and added a team-best seven rebounds.
Cincinnati limited New Mexico to 31% from the field (21-67), including just 20% (8-40) in the first half.
A pair of Jackson jumpers helped UC lead 6-5 at the first quarter media timeout. Cincinnati held New Mexico to just seven points in the opening period, the fewest the Bearcats have allowed in a quarter this season.
The Bearcats opened the second period on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a Jackson three-pointer and four points from Kylie Torrence (18-9). A Thomas layup stretched the lead to double digits before New Mexico closed the half with a small run. Cincinnati took a 29-21 advantage into the locker room.
New Mexico pulled within two in the third quarter, but Jackson and Ndiba knocked down back-to-back jumpers to regain momentum. Perry followed with a personal 5-0 run to push the lead back to eight (42-34). Cincinnati carried a 46-38 lead into the fourth.
The Lobos made one final push to tie the score late, but the Bearcats answered on both ends to complete a 2-0 weekend in Naples.