TicketsCINCINNATI – Cincinnati women’s basketball pulled off a thrilling comeback over Arizona State on Saturday afternoon inside Fifth Third Arena, capped by a game-winning layup from Joya Crawford with two seconds remaining.
After falling behind by as many as 18, the Bearcats (8-13, 3-6 Big 12) cut the deficit to two by halftime. The teams traded baskets down the stretch before Crawford’s steal and layup sealed the 66-64 victory.
Cincinnati’s win marked the Bearcats’ largest comeback since Jan. 29, 2022, when they overcame a 21-point deficit against Tulsa. It was also only the second time in Big 12 history that a team erased a 16-point or greater deficit after the first quarter, dating back to the introduction of quarters in the 2015-16 season.
A trio of Bearcats reached double figures: DeVillasee (15), Torrence (13) and Mya Perry (12). Cincinnati shot 42% from the field and went 17-of-24 from the line, while Arizona State finished 35% from the field and just 11% from three-point range.
Arizona State opened the game on a 9-0 run to take an 11-2 lead and force a UC timeout at the 6:55 mark. Cincinnati was limited to 10 points in the first quarter and trailed 26-10, as nine Bearcat turnovers led to 12 Sun Devil points.
Ndiba scored back-to-back buckets to pull UC within 12 with 3:53 remaining in the second quarter (30-18). Cincinnati then closed the half on a 15-1 run, holding Arizona State without a field goal over the final 4:55. The Bearcats surged back to trail by just two at halftime, 31-29.
Arizona State opened the third quarter on a 9-0 run to extend its lead to 38-29. Ndiba and DeVillasee answered with back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit to four with 5:30 remaining. The Sun Devils closed the quarter with a buzzer-beating basket to take a 50-45 lead into the final period.
A Perry three-pointer, followed by consecutive baskets from Torrence and DeVillasee, tied the game at 52-all with 8:01 remaining. Crawford gave Cincinnati its first lead with seven minutes left, and the two teams traded baskets through a fourth quarter that featured five ties. A 6-0 run gave Arizona State a four-point lead with 2:11 remaining, but consecutive baskets from DeVillasee and Torrence put Cincinnati back on top.
With the game tied at 64 and 19 seconds left, Crawford stole the ball and drove for the game-winning layup with two seconds on the clock. Arizona State’s final shot missed, sealing the Bearcats’ victory.