CINCINNATI (Interstat) — In a game defined by a decisive second-quarter surge, the Baylor Lady Bears weathered a late challenge to secure a 76-70 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats in a Big 12 Conference women’s basketball matchup Wednesday night at Fifth Third Arena.

Baylor, the visiting team, improved to 20-4 overall and in conference play. Cincinnati fell to 8-15.

The most critical phase of the contest unfolded in the second quarter. After a tightly contested opening period that saw Cincinnati lead 15-11, Baylor’s offense ignited. The Lady Bears exploded for 25 points in the frame, fueled by precision from beyond the arc and a stifling defensive effort that disrupted Cincinnati’s rhythm.

Guard Taliah Scott, a sophomore from Orange Park, Florida, spearheaded the Baylor attack with a game-high 26 points, including four three-pointers, and added four assists. Her backcourt partner, senior Jana Van Gytenbeek of Greenwood Village, Colorado, was equally instrumental, scoring 19 points and dishing out four assists while playing a team-high 39 minutes. Their combined backcourt production proved a constant challenge for the Bearcats’ defense.

Cincinnati, led by a relentless 20-point performance from junior Mya Perry of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, refused to capitulate. The Bearcats clawed back from a 13-point halftime deficit, outscoring Baylor 21-20 in the third quarter behind the playmaking of Joya Crawford, who finished with 11 points and four assists, and Caliyah DeVillasee, who added 14 points.

The Bearcats trimmed the Baylor lead to just four points on multiple occasions in the final minutes, capitalizing on interior scoring where they held a 22-16 advantage in paint points. However, Baylor’s composure at the free-throw line and key defensive stops in the final possessions sealed the outcome. The Lady Bears shot 18 for 22 from the charity stripe, while Cincinnati managed 12 of 17.

Baylor’s efficiency from three-point range was a decisive statistical edge. The Lady Bears connected on 12 of 28 attempts from deep, a 42.9% clip, compared to Cincinnati’s 6-of-18 performance. Forward Bella Fontleroy of Springfield, Missouri, contributed 12 points and was a defensive presence with a block and two steals for Baylor.

Despite shooting a higher percentage from the field overall, 43.3% to Baylor’s 36.5%, Cincinnati was hampered by ball security and distribution issues. The Bearcats committed 13 turnovers leading to 15 Baylor points and recorded only two assists as a team. Baylor, while also battling turnovers, managed five assists and five steals.

Baylor forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, helping her team to a 39-34 rebounding edge, including 11 offensive boards.

The game, played before an announced crowd of 1,674, was a tale of contrasting strengths. Cincinnati’s more efficient inside game and higher field goal percentage were ultimately negated by Baylor’s superior three-point shooting, advantage in points off turnovers, and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch.

The victory allowed Baylor to rebound from a road loss at West Virginia in its previous outing. Cincinnati, coming off a narrow two-point loss at Houston, has now dropped two straight.

Baylor next hosts Arizona State on Saturday. Cincinnati travels to face Kansas, also on Saturday.