CINCINNATO (Interstat) — In a stunning season-opening upset, the Lehigh Mountain Hawks women’s basketball team went on the road and defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats 88 to 85 on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Arena.

Defying a pregame projection from Interstat’s ELO system that gave them just a 27 percent chance of victory, the Mountain Hawks executed a poised and resilient game plan to secure the win before an announced crowd of 814. The victory marked a triumphant start to the Katy Steding era at Lehigh, lifting the Mountain Hawks to a perfect 1-0 record while handing the Bearcats an 0-1 start to their campaign.

The game was a tale of contrasting halves and a dramatic fourth-quarter collapse by the home team. Lehigh established early control, dictating the pace and finishing the first quarter with a six-point lead after putting up 24 points. They maintained that offensive efficiency in the second period, adding another 24 to their total. However, Cincinnati’s offense, led by the explosive scoring of Mya Perry, found its rhythm. The Bearcats erupted for 27 points in the quarter, matching Lehigh’s output and narrowing the halftime deficit to just three points.

The third quarter saw the Bearcats continue their offensive surge, once again posting 27 points. Perry and backcourt mate Reagan Jackson spearheaded the attack, seemingly seizing momentum as they repeatedly answered every Lehigh basket. The Mountain Hawks, to their credit, refused to fold under the pressure, scoring 23 points of their own to enter the final period clinging to a one-point lead.

The decisive turn came in the game’s final ten minutes. Cincinnati’s offense, so potent in the middle quarters, went ice cold. The Bearcats managed a mere 13 points in the fourth quarter, their shots refusing to fall as the Mountain Hawks tightened their defensive pressure. Lehigh’s offense, while also slowing from its earlier torrid pace, did just enough, scoring 17 points to hold on for the narrow victory.

The individual performances were highlighted by a spectacular duel between two standout guards. Lehigh’s Jessie Ozzauto delivered a masterful performance, leading all scorers with 25 points while pulling down seven rebounds and dishing out two assists in 35 minutes of action. Her backcourt partner, Whitney Lind, was equally formidable, contributing 26 points and five rebounds in a team-high 36 minutes. The duo’s combined 51 points provided the consistent offensive firepower Lehigh needed to withstand Cincinnati’s runs.

For the Bearcats, Mya Perry was a force, nearly willing her team to victory with a game-high 31 points in just 29 minutes on the floor. Reagan Jackson provided crucial support with 21 points and three assists, but the team’s scoring depth faded when it mattered most in the fourth quarter.

Beyond the star scorers, Lehigh received critical contributions up and down the roster that proved to be the difference. Point guard Gracyn Lovette orchestrated the offense with precision, distributing a game-high nine assists while playing 38 minutes and adding seven points. Her command of the floor was instrumental in Lehigh’s efficient offensive execution. Elizabeth Mjaanes provided a major spark off the bench, tallying 13 points and five rebounds, while Lily Fandre filled the stat sheet with eight points, four rebounds, and five assists. Belle Bramer also chipped in a valuable nine points and four rebounds in her 15 minutes of action.

Cincinnati’s efforts in the paint were led by Destiny Thomas, who hauled in eight rebounds, and Kylie Torrence, who added six boards, but the Bearcats ultimately could not overcome their late-game scoring drought.

The victory provides a massive momentum boost for Lehigh as they look ahead to a challenging schedule. Their next contest is a road game against Fairfield on Saturday, Nov. 8. They will then return home to host La Salle on Tuesday, Nov. 11, followed by a home game against Vermont on Saturday, Nov. 15. A significant early-season test awaits on Sunday, Nov. 23, when the Mountain Hawks travel to face the national powerhouse Stanford Cardinal.

For Cincinnati, the loss serves as a season-opening reality check. They will have a short turnaround to correct their mistakes before heading back on the road to face Penn State on Friday, Nov. 7. Their schedule remains demanding, with a home game against Georgetown on Sunday, Nov. 16, and the annual crosstown showdown against Xavier looming on Sunday, Dec. 7.

On this night, however, it was the Lehigh Mountain Hawks who left Cincinnati with a statement win, proving that pregame probabilities mean little once the ball is tipped.