TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team dropped its Big 12 opener to Oklahoma State, 91-63, on Sunday afternoon inside Fifth Third Arena.
Cincinnati (5-8, 0-1) was unable to overcome a hot-shooting Oklahoma State team that connected on 17 three-pointers. The Cowgirls shot 48 percent from the field, while UC finished at 38 percent and made seven threes.
Senior Mya Perry led the Bearcats with 21 points and eclipsed the 1,000-career-point mark. She knocked down four three-pointers, including the milestone basket late in the fourth quarter. Perry has now scored in double figures in all 13 games this season, the longest season-opening streak by a Bearcat since 2012-13.
Freshman Joya Crawford added a season-high 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including two three-pointers.
Freshman Dee Alexander made her season debut after missing the first 12 games due to injury. She checked in during the first quarter and immediately made an impact, scoring on a driving layup and recording a block on the defensive end. Alexander finished with six points, three rebounds and two steals.
Despite Alexander’s return, the Bearcats were shorthanded, playing without four players, including starters Caliyah DeVillasee and Kylie Torrence.
The Bearcats held a two-point lead at the first media timeout before Oklahoma State used a three-pointer out of the break to seize momentum. OSU’s Haleigh Timmer made five three-pointers in the opening quarter as the Cowgirls took a five-point lead after one.
Crawford scored eight points in the second quarter, but an 11-0 Oklahoma State run pushed the margin into double figures. The Cowgirls made nine three-pointers in the first half to take a 43-27 advantage into the break.
Back-to-back baskets from Crawford and Destiny Thomas pulled Cincinnati within 15 midway through the third quarter, but the Bearcats would get no closer. Perry’s milestone three came with 2:56 remaining.
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The Bearcats will break for the holidays before returning to action on New Year’s Eve at Kansas State.