Baylor Women Rally Past Cincinnati 76 to 70 in Heart-Pounding NCAA Basketball Clash

Waco, Texas -- Baylor extended its winning momentum in NCAA women’s basketball Sunday with a 76 to 70 victory over Cincinnati at the Ferrell Center, marking the Bears’ latest statement in a competitive season.

Baylor improved to 19 and 6 overall while Cincinnati fell to 14 and 9, reflecting a tightly contested matchup that featured lead changes throughout. The Bears relied on balanced scoring and perimeter shooting to overcome the Bearcats’ persistent offensive threats.

Taliah Scott emerged as the standout performer, finishing with 18 points, including four three pointers, and contributing key rebounds in the second half. Jana Van Gytenbeek added 16 points while directing the Baylor offense with five assists, and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs chipped in 12 points along with six rebounds. Bella Fontleroy provided critical spacing with her 10 points and four three pointers, helping Baylor regain control in the closing minutes.

Cincinnati kept pace through strong perimeter shooting and aggressive drives. Mya Perry totaled 17 points with four assists, and Caliyah DeVillasee contributed 15 points and seven rebounds, while Joya Crawford added 12 points off the bench. Despite falling behind late, the Bearcats maintained pressure with timely three pointers and strong free throw shooting.

The game featured 15 lead changes and 10 ties, underscoring the evenly matched teams. Baylor overcame early deficits with a 9 to 2 run midway through the second quarter, sparked by Scott’s perimeter shooting and Littlepage-Buggs’ offensive boards. Cincinnati responded in the third quarter, narrowing the margin to one with a late 7 to 0 run, but Baylor’s defensive rotations and timely three pointers sealed the victory.

This win continues Baylor’s surge, improving their conference outlook and solidifying positioning for potential postseason seeding. Historically, Baylor has won 62 percent of games in March after building leads in the first half, demonstrating their ability to close out tight contests. For Cincinnati, the defeat exposes vulnerabilities in defensive rebounding and perimeter consistency, areas to address in upcoming matchups.

Looking ahead, Baylor will host a crucial conference opponent on Thursday, aiming to build a winning streak and strengthen their resume for the NCAA tournament. Cincinnati travels to a road test against another ranked opponent, needing a bounce-back performance to remain competitive in postseason considerations.

With balanced scoring, timely three pointers, and disciplined rotations, Baylor demonstrated both resilience and offensive versatility, highlighting why they remain a top contender in women’s college basketball.

The latest outcome adds to the team’s momentum and provides clarity on which players are emerging as leaders under coach Nicki Collen.