Cincinnati Women’s Hoops Heads to BYU with Momentum and Milestones in Sight
The Cincinnati Bearcats women’s basketball team is back on the road Tuesday night, closing out its final road swing of the season with a Big 12 showdown at BYU. Tip-off from Provo is set for 9 p.m. ET, and while the altitude might be high, the stakes are even higher.
Let’s break down where this team stands heading into the matchup-and why there’s plenty to be excited about.
A Gritty Effort in Utah
Cincinnati is coming off a hard-fought 67-59 loss at Utah, a game that saw the Bearcats claw back from an 18-point hole to make it a five-point contest with five minutes to play. That kind of late-game fight speaks volumes about the team’s resilience. It’s not just about staying in games-they’re showing they can push back when their backs are against the wall.
Mya Perry’s Perimeter Precision
Senior guard Mya Perry continues to cement her name in Bearcat history. With her 66th three-pointer of the season coming against Utah, she’s now tied for 10th on Cincinnati’s single-season list, matching Kahla Roudebush’s mark from 2007-08. She’s just four away from moving into eighth.
Perry is more than just a shooter-she’s one of the most consistent offensive weapons in the Big 12. She’s averaging 16.8 points per game (sixth in the conference), ranks second in total threes made (66), and third in threes per game (2.5).
She’s not just filling it up-she’s doing it against top-tier competition. With 23 double-figure games and nine 20-point outings, Perry is tied for seventh in the league in that latter category.
And among Power 4 players, she’s in rare air: over 400 points and 60 made threes on the year.
DeVillasee: Freshman, Floor General, Future Star
If you haven’t been paying attention to Caliyah DeVillasee yet, now’s the time. The freshman guard has scored in double figures in 20 of her 22 games, including a current seven-game streak. Her 13-point, five-assist performance against Utah was just the latest example of her steady hand and scoring touch.
She’s racked up 91 assists so far-already the most by a Bearcat since Akira Levy’s 151 in 2021-22-and is closing in on becoming just the fourth freshman in program history to hit the 100-assist mark. That hasn’t happened at Cincinnati since 2006-07.
Across the Big 12, DeVillasee ranks 11th in scoring (15.4 ppg), 12th in field goal percentage (.414), and 11th in assists (4.1 apg). Her five 20-point games are the most by a Cincinnati freshman since 2002-03 and second-most among Big 12 rookies this season.
Nationally, she’s one of just three freshmen averaging at least 15 points, four assists, and three rebounds per game. That’s elite company.
Ramiyah Byrd’s Breakout
Redshirt sophomore Ramiyah Byrd had a career night against Arizona on Feb. 10, dropping 14 points and pulling down 15 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. Add in two assists and two steals, and you’ve got a stat line that’s only been matched by two other Bearcats since 1999. That kind of all-around performance is a game-changer, and it’s a sign that Byrd is hitting her stride at the right time.
Reagan Jackson and the Scoring Surge
Reagan Jackson has quietly been one of the team’s most reliable scorers, averaging 14.5 points last week, including a Big 12-best 19 against Arizona. She’s now hit double figures in 14 games this season and continues to provide a spark on the offensive end.
Kylie Torrence: The Do-It-All Freshman
Kylie Torrence is another first-year player making a serious impact. She ranks eighth in the Big 12 in rebounding (7.1 rpg) and 10th in blocks (1.0 bpg).
Nationally, she’s one of just nine freshmen averaging at least eight points, seven boards, and one block per game. That’s a rare blend of size, athleticism, and production from a young player.
Strength on the Glass and at the Line
Cincinnati has made rebounding a calling card this season. The Bearcats have outrebounded opponents in 19 games and lead the Big 12 in offensive rebounds per game (14.4), ranking 38th nationally in that category. They’re also fourth in the conference in total rebounds per game (40.1), showing a commitment to controlling the paint on both ends.
At the free-throw line, Cincinnati has held the advantage in 14 games and sits sixth in the Big 12 in free throws made per game (14.3). That’s the kind of stat that can swing close games-especially on the road.
Perry’s Consistency and Clutch Shooting
In Big 12 play, Perry continues to be a perimeter problem for opposing defenses. She’s third in the league in both threes per game (2.6) and three-point percentage (.364), and she’s hit at least three triples in eight conference games.
Her season-opening streak of 19 straight double-figure scoring games was the longest by a Bearcat since Debbie Merrill in 2002-03. That kind of consistency sets the tone for the whole team.
Defense Wins Games
Here’s a stat that tells you a lot about this team’s identity: Cincinnati is 9-2 when holding opponents to 69 points or fewer. When the Bearcats defend, they win. It’s that simple.
With just a few regular-season games left, the Bearcats are showing they’re more than just a team in transition-they’re a team on the rise. The trip to BYU isn’t just another road game. It’s a chance to build on a season full of breakout performances, big-time stats, and a growing belief that Cincinnati women’s basketball is a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12.