Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
18-0,5-0Big 12
Cincinnati
6-11,1-4Big 12
No. 17 Texas Tech earns first win against Cincinnati
January 10, 2026 | Women's Basketball
CINCINNATI – Dominant defense from Denae Fritz and 17-point performances from Bailey Maupin and Snudda Collins helped the No. 17 Texas Tech Lady Raiders defeat the Cincinnati Bearcats, 71-60, at Fifth Third Arena on Saturday afternoon. This marks the first win for Tech against Cincinnati in program history, as the Lady Raiders were previously 0-3 all-time against the Bearcats. Â
Texas Tech (18-0, 5-0 Big 12) remains undefeated thanks to huge performances from Maupin, Collins and Fritz. Maupin posted a 17-point day after shooting 5-for-10 from the field (.500), 2-for-3 from behind the arc (.667) and 5-for-6 from the free-throw line (.833). She added three rebounds and an assist against Cincinnati (6-11, 1-4 Big 12). Collins recorded 17 points in the game on 41.7 percent shooting from field (5-for-12) while also connecting with a couple of 3-pointers. Collins also totaled two blocks in the game, as both her and Maupin lead the team with 16 double-digit scoring games this season.
Fritz had one of the best defensive games of her career, totaling a career-high of six steals with five of those coming in the first half alone. Fritz posted back-to-back games with three 3-pointers, going a team-best 3-for-6 (.500) from behind the arc and 4-for-4 from the free throw line for 13 points. Fritz also had five rebounds, two coming on the offensive end, two assists and a block. Gemma Núñez once again led the way in assists with seven, while Jalynn Bristow led the team with six rebounds and three blocks. The Lady Raiders shot better from three (.417) than from the field (.411), going 10-for-24 from behind the arc.
Cincinnati scored first in the game, but Tech tied it up right after when Sarengbe Sanogo made a layup. The Bearcats held Tech scoreless for almost four minutes as they headed to the media timeout with a 6-2 advantage. Maupin was fouled out of the timeout, making two of three free throws to make it 6-4. Collins tied things up at 6-all with two more free throws, then Tech took an 8-6 lead with another layup from Sanogo. Cincinnati would score the next five points, including a three at the buzzer to end the period with the 11-8 lead.
Tech began the second quarter with a three from Bristow before Cincinnati made a jumper to go up by two. The Lady Raiders followed up with a 6-0 run thanks to a successful and-one opportunity from Maupin and a triple from Fritz. Cincinnati would score three more points before Tech went on another run, this time a 7-3 run highlighted by a three from Maupin and steals from Fritz. The Lady Raiders ended the half scoring 16 of the last 19 points thanks to buckets from Bristow, Collins, Sidney Love and Núñez to lead 40-23 after two. The Lady Raiders went from having their lowest scoring quarter with eight in the first, to their highest scoring quarter with 32 in the second.
The Bearcats forced a Texas Tech timeout after holding the Lady Raiders scoreless for the first 3:15 of the third period while also going on a 6-0 run. The Lady Raiders didn't score until the 4:38mark in the quarter with a pullup midrange jumper from Maupin. Fritz got another steal, then was fouled on the fastbreak layup attempt to add two free throws. Cincinnati closed the period on an 8-3 run to cut their deficit to 10.
The Bearcats continued their momentum with a 3-pointer to begin the final quarter. Tech scored its first layup with a second-chance putback for Jada Malone. Núñez was able to grab a steal, then connect with a fastbreak layup for the 51-40 lead. Fritz nailed another three, but Cincinnati answered with six-straight points to cut into the Tech lead at 54-48. Tech stopped their run with a layup from Collins, but the Bearcats responded with the next four points to make it 56-52. Texas Tech stopped their run with back-to-back threes from Maupin and Fritz. Collins converted a successful and-one play after that, then added two more free throws to make it 67-54. The Lady Raiders kept their momentum, winning the game by a 71-60 score.
Up next, the Lady Raiders are back at home for a game against the Houston Cougars on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. in the United Supermarkets Arena.
