Cincinnati Stuns Arizona State With Record Comeback Win

In a showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Cincinnati Bearcats women’s basketball team staged an unforgettable comeback to topple the Arizona State Sun Devils, 66-64, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Fifth Third Arena. What started as a lopsided contest in favor of the Sun Devils quickly transformed into a Big 12 classic, complete with wild momentum swings, gritty defense, and a heart-stopping finish that will be talked about for years to come.

Heading into this matchup, the Sun Devils were riding high on a season built around stifling defense and efficient scoring. Arizona State boasted impressive numbers: 66.9 points per game while holding opponents to just 56.9—a solid +10.0 scoring margin. Their shooting efficiency was nothing to scoff at either, connecting on 45.1 percent of their field-goal attempts. Cincinnati, meanwhile, entered the contest with a higher-scoring offense at 70.6 points per game but struggled to contain opponents, allowing 71.8 points on average, which left them with a -1.2 scoring margin. The Bearcats, however, had a slight edge on the glass, averaging 39.9 rebounds per game compared to Arizona State’s 35.0.

Key players were expected to make their mark. For Cincinnati, Mya Perry led the charge with 18.2 points and 1.8 steals per game, while Caliyah DeVillasee and Kylie Torrence provided crucial support with 4.7 assists and 7.7 rebounds, respectively. On the Sun Devils’ side, Gobby Elliott was a defensive dynamo with 16.3 steals per game (alongside 14.3 points), and McKinna Brackens contributed 2.3 steals and 7.0 rebounds. Last-Tear Poa was the team’s primary facilitator, averaging 4.2 assists.

The game tipped off at noon Eastern (10:00 AM MST) and was broadcast exclusively on ESPN+, with local radio coverage available for Sun Devils fans on 1440 AM KAZG. Early betting lines had favored Arizona State, with many expecting their disciplined defense and overall efficiency to carry them to victory. But as every sports fan knows, games aren’t played on paper.

Arizona State wasted no time asserting their dominance, opening the contest with a 9-0 run that forced an early Bearcat timeout. By the end of the first quarter, the Sun Devils had built a commanding 26-10 lead, capitalizing on nine Cincinnati turnovers that led to 12 easy points. The Bearcats looked rattled, and the Sun Devils seemed poised to cruise to another win.

But Cincinnati had other plans. With 3:53 left in the second quarter, Ndiba sparked the Bearcats’ offense, scoring back-to-back buckets to cut the deficit to 12. Then, in a stunning turn, Cincinnati closed the half on a 15-1 run, holding Arizona State without a single field goal over the final 4:55. The Bearcats’ defense tightened, and their offense found a rhythm, with contributions from all over the court. By halftime, Arizona State’s lead had shrunk to just two points, 31-29, and the energy inside Fifth Third Arena was electric.

The Sun Devils regrouped at the break and came out firing in the third quarter, stringing together another 9-0 run to extend their lead to 38-29. Yet, the Bearcats refused to fold. Ndiba and DeVillasee answered right back, slicing the deficit to four with 5:30 left in the period. Arizona State managed to cling to a 50-45 advantage heading into the final quarter, thanks to a buzzer-beating basket that momentarily silenced the home crowd.

The fourth quarter, though, was where legends are made. Mya Perry drilled a three-pointer, and back-to-back buckets from Torrence and DeVillasee tied the game at 52 with just over eight minutes to play. Joya Crawford, who would later become the hero, gave Cincinnati its first lead of the game with seven minutes left. The tension was palpable as the teams traded baskets, with the score knotted five times in the final frame.

Arizona State, showing the poise that had defined their season, pieced together a 6-0 run to grab a four-point lead with 2:11 remaining. But the Bearcats, feeding off the crowd’s energy and their own newfound confidence, stormed right back. DeVillasee and Torrence delivered clutch baskets, pushing Cincinnati ahead as the clock wound down.

With just 19 seconds left and the game tied at 64, the stage was set for a dramatic finish. That’s when Joya Crawford made her move. According to the official game recap, "Crawford stole the ball and drove for the game-winning layup with two seconds on the clock." The crowd erupted as the Bearcats took a 66-64 lead—one they would not relinquish. Arizona State’s final attempt missed its mark, and the Bearcats celebrated a victory that seemed improbable just an hour earlier.

This win was historic for Cincinnati. Not only did they overcome an 18-point deficit—their largest comeback since January 29, 2022, when they erased a 21-point hole against Tulsa—but it was also just the second time in Big 12 history a team had erased a 16-point or greater deficit after the first quarter since the conference adopted quarters in the 2015-16 season.

Statistically, the Bearcats’ resilience showed up across the box score. Three players scored in double figures: DeVillasee led with 15 points, Torrence added 13, and Perry chipped in 12. Cincinnati shot 42% from the field and converted 17-of-24 free throws, while Arizona State managed just 35% shooting and a chilly 11% from beyond the arc. The Sun Devils’ early dominance faded as the Bearcats’ defense clamped down and their offense executed under pressure.

For Arizona State, the loss stings, especially after such a dominant start. Their defense, which had been a hallmark all season, couldn’t withstand the Bearcats’ relentless push in the second half. Gobby Elliott and McKinna Brackens delivered solid performances, but the Sun Devils’ offense sputtered at critical moments, particularly during Cincinnati’s decisive runs.

Fans tuning in on ESPN+ or listening on KAZG 1440 AM witnessed a game that encapsulated the unpredictability and excitement of college basketball. While the Sun Devils will look to regroup and learn from this setback, Cincinnati’s players and supporters can savor a comeback for the ages—a testament to grit, teamwork, and never giving up, no matter the odds.

As the dust settles, both programs will turn their attention to the remainder of the season. For Cincinnati, this victory could be a turning point, injecting fresh confidence into a squad eager to climb the Big 12 standings. Arizona State, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back and reaffirm their defensive identity in the games ahead. One thing’s for sure: Saturday’s thriller will be remembered as one of the great comebacks in recent women’s college basketball history.