Why BYU women’s basketball came up short against Cincinnati

After coming off a 30-point loss to Colorado, the BYU women’s basketball team lost another game, 76-67 to the Cincinnati Bearcats Tuesday night at the Marriott Center.

This Cougar team has shown flashes of being able to play with anyone this season, but their inconsistent play has been the thorn in its side, this game against Cincinnati no exception.

The Bearcats came into this game with a 9-17 record, hovering close to the bottom of the Big 12 standings.

It was all Cincinnati senior Mya Perry, whose incredible clutch shot making won the game for the Bearcats.

Perry scored 15 points in the first half, foreshadowing a career-high 32-point game.

The Cincinnati senior came up with a huge 3-pointer to extend the Bearcat lead to six with forty seconds left, capping off her incredible night.

Cincinnati coach Katrina Merriweather had high praise for her guard.

“She’s a big time shot maker,” Merriweather said. “I think she’s one of the best offensive guards in the country. Her repertoire and the things that she has in her artillery are big time.”

Perry was able to knock down five three pointers, proving to be too much for this Cougars defense.

“I thought we played with an extreme amount of composure,” Merriweather said. “Our five players being able to handle the ball and bring it across the court … especially when we are down our point guard.”

Cincinnati freshman guard Caliyah Devillasee went out early in the first half with an injury, showing the resiliency of this Bearcats team.

This Cougar group has shown flashes of potential with a win over Iowa State and star player Audi Cooks earlier this season, but inconsistent play has continued to a problem.

BYU coach Lee Cummard mentioned the important of focusing on the small thing, working together as a team.

“Build on the basics of the game, delivering passes on time on target,” Cummard said. “Just trying to teach as we go, wish we were a little more successful than we’ve been as of late, but learn, let's grow from this.”

The Cougars followed that dominant win against the Cyclones with a one-sided loss against Colorado, and another late game loss against the Bearcats.

The Bearcats played a physical game leading to many BYU turnovers, Cougar star Delaney Gibb had three turnovers in the first half, limiting her impact on the first half.

Gibb completely flipped the switch in the fourth quarter, doing everything she could to keep BYU close, like getting to the free throw line and stepping up.

Gibb knocked down a huge 3 with four minutes left to go, but it was Cincinnati’s Perry, who yet again responded, ending BYU's chances.

The Cougars now only have three games left on the schedule, needing to improve their play if they want to have any postseason success.

Three tough tests for this relatively young BYU team, Arizona State, Utah and the team that just came away with a 30-point win over the program, Colorado.

This BYU program has reaped the benefits from being in the Big 12, but its tough competition night to night, can't be overstated.

BYU's next game will come against the Utah Utes on Saturday, looking to pick up the second win this season against the Utes and get back in the win column.