CINCINNATI (Interstat) — MacKenzie Givens scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Xavier to a 77-70 women’s basketball victory over Cincinnati on Sunday at Fifth Third Arena. The Musketeers built a 38-39 halftime lead and maintained control despite a 28-point second quarter from the Bearcats. Xavier improved to 6-3 overall. Cincinnati fell to 4-6. Givens, a Cincinnati native, was the standout performer. Meri Kanerva added 17 points and six assists for Xavier, while Mariyah Noel contributed 22 points and three blocks. Caliyah DeVillasee led Cincinnati with 20 points. A crowd of 4,059 watched the game. Xavier next hosts Long Island on Tuesday. Cincinnati hosts UNLV on Saturday.

CINCINNATI (Interstat) — The annual crosstown women’s basketball rivalry resumes Sunday when the Xavier Musketeers visit the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena. Xavier (5-3) enters with momentum after a 61-47 home win over Providence on Thursday. The Musketeers’ defense has been a strength, holding opponents under 70 points in six of their eight games. Their offense runs through guard Mariyah Noel, who is averaging 17.4 points per game. She scored 20 points in the win over Providence and has topped 19 points in three of her last five contests. Cincinnati (4-5) looks to rebound from a tough 75-71 overtime loss to Miami (Ohio) at home on Wednesday. The Bearcats have shown a high-powered offense, scoring 96 and 100 points in wins this season, but consistency has been an issue. They are led by dynamic guard Caliyah DeVillasee, who is coming off a 23-point, 5-rebound, 4-assist performance against Miami (Ohio). She averages 16.7 points and 6.4 assists per game, having recorded a 15-assist game earlier this season. The Bearcats hold the home-court advantage, but have struggled to close games, with two of their five losses coming by five points or fewer. Xavier’s three losses have come against formidable competition, including a lopsided defeat to Connecticut, but they have proven resilient in close games, winning their season opener by a single point. This matchup pits Xavier’s structured defense against Cincinnati’s up-tempo attack. Containing Noel will be a primary focus for Cincinnati, while Xavier must account for DeVillasee’s dual-threat capability as a scorer and distributor. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. EST tip-off on Sunday, Dec. 7. Following this rivalry clash, Xavier will host Long Island on Tuesday. Cincinnati’s next game is at home against UNLV on Dec. 13.