In a thrilling NCAA Division I women's basketball clash on Saturday, the No. 17 ranked Texas Tech Lady Raiders continued their historic unbeaten run, securing a hard-fought 71-60 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats. This win solidifies their place as one of only four undefeated teams left in the nation.
Historic Start for the Lady Raiders
The victory in Cincinnati extends the Lady Raiders' perfect record to an impressive 18-0, marking the best start in the history of the Texas Tech women's basketball program. They now stand alongside No. 1 UConn, No. 2 Texas, and No. 7 Vanderbilt as the only remaining undefeated teams in Division I. Texas Tech also improved their Big 12 conference record to a perfect 5-0.
Key Performances and Decisive Run
The game saw standout performances from multiple players. Bailey Maupin led the scoring charge with 17 points, while Snudda Collins matched that total with 17 crucial points coming off the bench. The game was tightly contested in the final minutes, with Texas Tech holding a narrow 56-52 lead with just over four minutes remaining.
However, the Lady Raiders sealed the win with a decisive sequence. Maupin and Denae Fritz sank back-to-back three-pointers, pushing the lead to 10 points with under four minutes on the clock. Fritz finished the game with 13 points, and she along with Jalynn Bristow each hit three of the team's 10 successful three-pointers. Bristow also contributed 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Cincinnati's Fight and Texas Tech's Streaky Play
For the Cincinnati Bearcats (6-11, 1-4 Big 12), the loss came despite a strong effort. Caliyah DeVillasee top-scored with 14 points, supported by Mya Perry (12 points) and Reagan Jackson and Kylie Torrence with 10 points each. Cincinnati had entered the game with confidence after defeating No. 11 Iowa State in their previous outing and had won all three prior matchups against Texas Tech.
The game was a tale of contrasting quarters. Cincinnati led 11-8 after the first period, but Texas Tech caught fire in the second, hitting 6 of 7 three-pointers and outscoring the Bearcats 32-12 to take a commanding 40-23 halftime lead. The Lady Raiders went cold in the third quarter, allowing Cincinnati to claw back and narrow the gap to 47-37 heading into the final period.
An interesting sidelight for Texas Tech was the absence of Stephanie Okechukwa, a 7-foot-1 player from Nigeria. The 21-year-old recently received clearance from the NCAA but did not play in this game. When she debuts, she is set to become one of the tallest women ever to play college basketball.
Looking ahead, Texas Tech returns home to face Houston on Tuesday, while Cincinnati will travel to play Central Florida on Wednesday.
