Lady Bearcats fall to Arizona State in first round of Big 12 tournament

On Wednesday night, the University of Cincinnati's (UC) women’s basketball fell to Arizona State University 82-75 in the first round of the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship at the T-Mobile Center. Despite a strong effort, the Lady Bearcats were unable to overcome their free throw and foul struggles, bringing their tournament run to an early end.

The Lady Bearcats entered this tournament ranked as the No.10 seed in the Big 12, looking to snap their three-game losing streak against the No.15 seed Lady Sun Devils. UC had previously secured a close 73-66 victory over ASU in Tempe earlier this season and aimed to replicate that success.

UC opened the game struggling to find their rhythm but gained momentum with a layup from junior guard A'riel Jackson. Three-pointers from senior guard Tineya Hylton and sophomore guard Reagan Jackson helped UC take an early 11-6 lead.

ASU responded with an 8-0 run, but back-to-back layups from fifth-year guard Jillian Hayes and redshirt freshman forward Ramiyah Byrd kept the Bearcats in it. The Sun Devils closed the quarter with the final five points, leading 19-15.

The Sun Devils' run continued into the second quarter, extending their lead to as much as 12 points with 7:14 on the clock. Three-pointers from Reagan Jackson cut the deficit to six (32-27).

UC’s costly turnovers and fouls allowed ASU to extend their lead back to double figures going into the half (43-32).

Reagan Jackson was the first Bearcat in double figures with 16 first-half points, draining four of her seven three-point attempts. Jackson was able to lighten the load for Hayes, recently named to the All-Big 12 Third Team, who was held to just six points by ASU.

The Sun Devils picked up where they left off, sinking back-to-back three-pointers to start the second half. UC responded with strong play, including a second-chance layup from Hayes and a layup from freshman guard Chloe Mann off an ASU turnover.

Despite a layup from A’riel Jackson and three-pointer from fifth-year guard Daylee Dunn, ASU was able to find their rhythm and build their lead back up to double digits to end the quarter (58-47).

The Bearcats fought to stay in the game as A'riel Jackson’s free throw made it 65-50 early in the fourth. The Bearcats, who entered tonight leading the Big 12 in free throws made, struggled at the line tonight, converting 14 of their 27 attempts. Meanwhile, the Sun Devils capitalized, making 24 of their 30 free throw attempts.

As ASU extended their lead, UC refused to go down without a fight. Hylton hit a jumper and followed that up with a three-pointer, bringing the score to 72-63. The Bearcats played with tempo and pressured ASU forcing key defensive stops.

A huge three-pointer from Reagan Jackson cut the lead to 74-71 with over a minute left. However, despite the final push, the Sun Devils held on for the 82-75 victory over the Bearcats.

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