CINCINNATI (Interstat) — Mya Perry scored a game-high 26 points and the Cincinnati Bearcats, defying heavy odds, closed the game on a decisive 9-2 run to upset the Iowa State Cyclones 71-63 in a Big 12 Conference women’s basketball game Wednesday night at Fifth Third Arena.

A crowd of 3,012 watched the Bearcats, who entered as 17-point underdogs with a win probability below seven percent according to analytics, snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 6-10 overall. The Cyclones, coming off a narrow loss to Baylor, dropped to 14-2.

The game’s defining sequence unfolded in the final minutes with the score knotted at 62. After Iowa State’s Audi Crooks converted inside to tie the game with 3:17 remaining, Cincinnati’s Caliyah DeVillasee was fouled on the ensuing possession. She sank both free throws to put the Bearcats ahead for good at 64-62 with 2:31 to play.

Iowa State’s next three possessions ended in a missed layup, a turnover, and a blocked shot, allowing Cincinnati to seize control. Perry, a 5-foot-9 guard from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, drew a foul on a three-point attempt and made two of the ensuing free throws. After an Iowa State miss, Joya Crawford was fouled and hit both of her attempts from the line, extending the lead to 68-62 with 1:22 left.

Crooks scored inside for Iowa State to cut the deficit to four, but Crawford answered with two more clutch free throws. Perry then delivered the final dagger, a pull-up jumper with 1:19 remaining that pushed the Cincinnati advantage to 71-64 and effectively sealed the victory. The Cyclones managed only a single free throw the rest of the way as the Bearcats secured the signature win.

Perry’s 26-point performance on 10-of-19 shooting from the field, including three three-pointers, was the engine for Cincinnati. She played 40 minutes, adding three steals. DeVillasee, a 5-8 guard from Owings Mills, Maryland, provided crucial support with 13 points. Crawford finished with 10 points, all in the second half, and Dee Alexander added seven points in just eight minutes off the bench.

Iowa State was led by its standout post player, Audi Crooks. The 6-3 sophomore from Algona, Iowa, scored 23 points on 11-of-22 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds in 34 minutes. Guard Jada Williams, a 5-8 junior from Kansas City, Missouri, contributed 13 points and a game-high seven assists.

The game was a tale of contrasting rhythms. Iowa State started strong, shooting efficiently in the first quarter to take a 20-17 lead. The second quarter, however, proved disastrous for the Cyclones, as they were held to just eight points on 3-of-15 shooting. Cincinnati capitalized, using a 13-4 run to close the half and take a 33-28 lead into the break.

Iowa State regrouped after halftime, exploding for 20 points in the third quarter behind Crooks and Williams to reclaim a 48-51 lead heading into the final period. The fourth quarter featured five ties and three lead changes before Cincinnati’s closing surge.

The Bearcats won despite being outrebounded 42-35 and attempting 11 fewer free throws. They compensated by forcing 18 Iowa State turnovers and converting them into 19 points, while committing only 12 turnovers themselves. Cincinnati also held a significant 34-18 advantage in bench scoring.

The victory marks a potential turning point for Cincinnati, which had lost seven of its last eight games. For Iowa State, it represents a second consecutive conference setback after a dominant start to the season. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Ames, Iowa, on Jan. 21.

Iowa State next hosts West Virginia on Sunday. Cincinnati remains at home to face Texas Tech on Saturday.