CINCINNATI (Interstat) — The West Virginia women’s basketball team built a large early lead and withstood a second-half surge to defeat Cincinnati 84-76 on Sunday at Fifth Third Arena. The Mountaineers led 43-26 at halftime after holding the Bearcats to 14 points in the first quarter and 12 in the second. Cincinnati rallied after the break, outscoring West Virginia 50-41 in the second half, but could not close the gap fully. Kierra Wheeler led West Virginia with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists. Jordan Harrison added 10 points and eight assists. Mya Perry scored a game-high 18 points for Cincinnati. West Virginia improved to 15-4 overall. Cincinnati fell to 7-12. Attendance was 2,108.

CINCINNATI (Interstat) — The West Virginia women’s basketball team built a commanding early lead and withstood a furious second-half rally from Cincinnati to secure an 84-76 victory in a Big 12 Conference game Sunday at Fifth Third Arena. The Mountaineers, improving to 15-4 overall, dominated the first half with a combination of efficient offense and disruptive defense, taking a 43-26 lead into halftime. Cincinnati, which fell to 7-12, shot just 32 percent from the floor before the break and committed 11 turnovers, which West Virginia converted into 12 points. West Virginia’s first-half control was punctuated by a balanced scoring attack and a significant advantage in the paint, where they outscored the Bearcats 28-10 in the opening 20 minutes. The Mountaineers opened the game on a 10-2 run, capped by a Jordan Harrison layup off her own steal, and never trailed. They led by as many as 19 points late in the second quarter. The most important part of the game arrived in the third quarter, as Cincinnati mounted a dramatic comeback. Sparked by improved ball movement and aggressive drives, the Bearcats exploded for 26 points in the period, slicing the deficit to single digits. A 14-2 run, fueled by baskets from Reagan Jackson, Ramiyah Byrd and Kylie Torrence, brought Cincinnati within 66-60 by the end of the third quarter. The Bearcats shot 64 percent from the field in the quarter while forcing seven West Virginia turnovers. Cincinnati continued its push early in the fourth, closing to within four points on two occasions. A three-pointer by Mya Perry, who scored 18 points, made it 71-67 with just over five minutes remaining, energizing the home crowd of 2,108. West Virginia, however, responded with the poise of a veteran team. Following a timeout, the Mountaineers steadied themselves by returning to their interior strength. Kierra Wheeler, who finished with 17 points and six rebounds, and Jordan Thomas, who added 12 points, scored key baskets in the paint to blunt the Cincinnati surge. A crucial driving layup by Sydney Woodley, who also scored 12, pushed the lead back to eight with under two minutes to play, effectively sealing the game. Harrison orchestrated the West Virginia offense with eight assists to go with 10 points, while Carter McCray contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. The Mountaineers finished the game shooting 54.2 percent from the field and won despite committing 21 turnovers. Cincinnati was led by Perry’s 18 points, all coming in the second half. Jackson scored 11 points and dished out six assists, while Torrence and Dee Alexander each added 10 points. The Bearcats shot 47.5 percent for the game and were efficient from the free-throw line, making 16 of 19 attempts, but could not overcome the early deficit. West Virginia’s offense operated at a 105.9 rating based on 79 possessions, while Cincinnati posted a 100.0 rating on 76 possessions. The Mountaineers also held a 13-10 edge in offensive rebounds, leading to 15 second-chance points. The win allowed West Virginia to bounce back from a narrow 51-50 loss to Texas Christian earlier in the week. Cincinnati saw its two-game conference win streak snapped after an overtime victory at UCF on Wednesday. West Virginia continues its conference schedule at home against Arizona State on Wednesday. Cincinnati travels to face Iowa State, also on Wednesday.

Preview: West Virginia Mountaineers at Cincinnati Bearcats CINCINNATI (Interstat) — A surging West Virginia team looks to rebound from a narrow defeat when it visits a Cincinnati squad seeking consistency in a Big 12 women’s basketball matchup Sunday at Fifth Third Arena. The Mountaineers (14-4, 3-2 Big 12) enter having lost two of their last three, including a heartbreaking 51-50 home loss to TCU on Wednesday. Despite the recent stumble, West Virginia has established itself as a conference contender, highlighted by a 13-point road win at Iowa State on Jan. 11. West Virginia is led by guard Jordan Harrison, who has been a dynamic force. Over her last seven games, Harrison is averaging nearly 15 points and 5 assists, including a 22-point effort against Texas Tech and a 19-point, 8-assist performance in the win at Iowa State. She scored 19 in the loss to TCU. The Cincinnati Bearcats (7-11, 2-3) are coming off a 63-59 overtime road victory at UCF on Wednesday, which snapped a three-game skid. Guard Mya Perry carried the offense in that win, scoring 24 points in 41 minutes. Perry has been a bright spot, averaging over 18 points per game in her last six contests, including a 26-point outing in a win over Iowa State on Jan. 7. While Perry provides scoring punch, Cincinnati has struggled for wins, particularly against high-major competition. Their 2-3 conference record includes a 71-60 home loss to Texas Tech last Saturday. The matchup pits West Virginia’s potent offense, which has scored 83 and 79 points in key road wins this month, against a Cincinnati defense that allows an average of 68 points per game. The Mountaineers will also look to control the boards, where forward Kierra Wheeler (8 points, 2 blocks vs. TCU) is a key presence. Sunday’s game is the first of two meetings between the programs this season. West Virginia continues a tough stretch of Big 12 play, while Cincinnati looks to build momentum from its overtime road win and secure a signature conference victory at home. Tip-off is set for Sunday afternoon.