UC women’s basketball beats BYU 76-67 on the road

On Feb. 17, 2026, the University of Cincinnati (UC) women’s basketball team traveled to the Marriott Center to face the Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars, where they snapped their four-game road skid with a dominant 76-67 win in Provo, Utah.

UC entered 2-9 on the road. With the victory, the Bearcats improved to 10-17 overall and 5-10 in Big 12 play, while BYU fell to 17-10 and 6-9 in conference play.

The Bearcats opened with energy, building an early 8-0 run behind a 3-pointer from first-year guard Caliyah DeVillasee and consecutive triples from third-year guard Reagan Jackson. Jackson added a layup to help UC take control early.

Fourth-year guard Mya Perry followed with two pull-up jumpers and a step-back 3-pointer, finishing the quarter with another triple to give UC a 29-25 lead entering the second.

BYU responded early in the second quarter. BYU second-year guard Delaney Gibb, connected from beyond the arc to trim the deficit to one possession. After a defensive stop by first-year forward Kylie Torrence, Jackson steadied UC’s offense with a pull-up jumper.

UC’s interior presence proved important in the period. UC third-year center Destiny Thomas recorded a block and later converted an assist from Torrence to extend the lead. Torrence added a jumper, but BYU answered with back-to-back 3-pointers from first-year guard Sydney Benally and second-year guard Brinley Cannon to briefly take a 36-35 advantage.

The game grew increasingly physical as both teams battled for rebounds and perimeter shots. Midway through the quarter, DeVillasee absorbed contact while fighting for a rebound. The play was reviewed for a potential flagrant foul but was ruled a common foul. She exited and did not return in the second half due to nausea. 

Late in the half, UC fourth-year forward Alliance Ndiba went 2 for 2 at the free-throw line, and Perry attacked the lane to give UC a 40-36 halftime lead. 

BYU opened the third quarter aggressively, attacking the rim and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. A layup by fourth-year forward Lara Rohkohl and a 3-pointer from third-year guard Marya Hudgins fueled a 7-0 run. Free throws later gave the Cougars a 43-42 lead.

Without DeVillasee, UC relied heavily on Perry and Jackson to generate offense. The teams traded baskets throughout the period, and Jackson’s midrange jumper tied the game at 51-51 entering the fourth. 

The final quarter proved decisive. After Gibb hit a 3-pointer to give BYU a 65-62 lead, Perry responded with a 3 of her own to even the score. Thomas added a putback to shift momentum back to UC. 

The Bearcats capitalized on BYU’s 18 turnovers with a 6-0 run to create separation. UC first-year guard Dee Alexander and Jackson converted key free throws to maintain the lead.

With under a minute remaining, Perry hit a deep 3-pointer to push UC ahead by multiple possessions. She finished with a career-high 32 points to lead the Bearcats.

UC placed multiple players in double figures and controlled the glass, reinforcing the identity that has kept them competitive in the Big 12 all season.   

Up next, UC will return home to host the University of Central Florida Knights at Fifth Third Arena for Senior Day on Feb. 21, 2026, at 2 p.m.   

Photo/Lucas Griffith