KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a thrilling encounter on Wednesday night, the 15th-seeded Arizona State Sun Devils caused an upset by defeating the 10th-seeded Cincinnati Bearcats in the opening round of the Big 12 Conference Tournament. Jalyn Brown was a standout performer for the Sun Devils, contributing 27 points, while Tyi Skinner added another impressive 26 points.
Arizona State, with a final record of 10-21, initially took command of the game, establishing a 19-point lead with eight minutes remaining. However, they faced a late challenge from Cincinnati, as the Bearcats closed the gap to just three points with 1:35 left on the clock. It was Skinner’s clutch performance, sinking six crucial free throws in the final 30 seconds, that ensured the victory for the Sun Devils.
In the next round, Arizona State is set to face the 7th seed Iowa State, a team they previously encountered earlier in the season with Iowa State securing a 80-73 victory. The upcoming game promises to be an exciting battle. Nevaeh Parkinson also shone for Arizona State, adding 15 points, while Kennedy Bashman contributed significantly on the boards with 10 rebounds but opted not to take a shot during the game. Skinner’s four successful 3-point shots tied the school’s seasonal record of 76.
For Cincinnati, Regan Jackson was the top scorer with 24 points. Tineya Hylton’s performance in the fourth quarter was pivotal, as she managed 15 of her 18 points during that period and sparked a rally that reduced the deficit.
At one point, trailing by 17, Hylton’s determination narrowed the gap, helping her team come within three points. A sequence of exchanges between Parkinson and Hylton from the free-throw line in the last minute provided a tense finale before Skinner confirmed the win with her free throws.
The Sun Devils were immediately set on the right path, with Brown scoring 10 points within the first quarter to lead the team to a 19-15 advantage. In the second quarter, Skinner picked up the momentum, allowing Arizona State to extend their lead to 43-32 by halftime.
Although Jackson kept Cincinnati competitive with 16 points at the interval, the Bearcats struggled from the charity stripe, converting only 4 of 12. Arizona State, by comparison, showed more accuracy from the line with a 24 of 30 record. In a game that saw a total of 48 fouls, free throw performance proved decisive in the match outcome.
