OVIEDO, Fla. (Interstat) — In a grinding, defensive struggle defined more by grit than grace, the Cincinnati Bearcats outlasted the UCF Knights 63-59 in overtime in a Big 12 women’s basketball game Wednesday night at CFE Arena.

The contest, witnessed by 1,076 fans, saw both teams labor offensively, but Cincinnati’s superior performance at the free-throw line and a crucial overtime sequence proved decisive. The Bearcats improved to 7-11 overall, while UCF fell to 9-8.

The game’s most critical juncture arrived in the final seconds of regulation and carried into the extra period. Trailing 53-51 with under 10 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, Cincinnati’s Mya Perry connected on a clutch 3-pointer from the wing, assisted by Caliyah DeVillasee, to give the Bearcats a one-point lead with just three seconds remaining. UCF’s Leah Harmon was then fouled on the ensuing inbounds play and calmly sank two free throws with five seconds left, sending the game to overtime tied at 53.

The overtime period was a tense, low-scoring affair. UCF managed just six points, all from the free-throw line until the final second. Cincinnati, meanwhile, chipped away primarily from the charity stripe. With the Bearcats clinging to a 57-56 lead and 16 seconds left, DeVillasee was fouled and made both free throws. On UCF’s next possession, Harmon missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer, and after a scramble, Cincinnati’s Caliyah DeVillasee secured a steal with seven seconds left. Fouled immediately, she sank two more free throws to ice the game, part of a 10-point overtime effort for the Bearcats.

The game was a battle of attrition from the start. Cincinnati established an early 16-8 lead after the first quarter, but UCF responded with a 16-10 second quarter to pull within two at halftime, 26-24. The Knights briefly took the lead in the third quarter, but neither team led by more than five points at any stage in the second half. Both teams shot under 32% from the field, with UCF making just one of its 10 attempts from 3-point range. Cincinnati countered by making 25 of 32 free throws, a 78.1% clip, while UCF went 22 for 28.

Individual performances stood out amidst the offensive struggles. UCF’s Leah Harmon, a guard from Paterson, New Jersey, delivered a heroic effort, playing 43 minutes and scoring a game-high 29 points, including the two pressure-filled free throws to force overtime. She added two assists. For Cincinnati, guard Caliyah DeVillasee of Owings Mills, Maryland, scored 19 points and dished out three assists, but her most significant contributions came at the line in the final minute of overtime. Teammate Mya Perry from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, added 24 points, including the pivotal late three in regulation.

UCF’s interior presence was anchored by Khyala Ngodu of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who posted 17 points, two blocks, and a game-high 42 minutes. Cincinnati’s defense was active, tallying 12 steals, led by DeVillasee’s three.

The Knights dominated points off turnovers, 24-11, and held a 26-20 advantage in paint scoring, but their inability to connect from distance and Cincinnati’s late-game composure at the line ultimately swung the result. The Bearcats’ offensive rating of 81.6 on 77 possessions narrowly bested UCF’s 78.4 on 75 possessions, encapsulating a game where every possession carried immense weight.

Cincinnati returns to action Sunday at home against West Virginia. UCF will host Colorado on Sunday.