Hunter’s Buzzer-Beating 3-Pointer Lifts Houston Past Cincinnati

Sunday, February 1

Houston, Texas

2 p.m.

University of Houston

7-14,1-9Big 12

Cincinnati

8-14,3-7Big 12

Cincinnati

Houston

Hunter’s Buzzer-Beating 3-Pointer Lifts Houston Past Cincinnati

2/1/2026 6:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Game Book (PDF)Postgame Press Conference - Coach Mitchell (YouTube)Postgame Press Conference - Kyndall Hunter and Amirah Abdur-Rahim

Kyndall Hunter scores 23 points to lead Cougars to first Big 12 victory

HOUSTON – Redshirt senior guard Kyndall Hunter beat the buzzer with a game-winning 3-pointer, lifting the University of Houston Women's Basketball team to a thrilling 72-70 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday inside the Fertitta Center.

After 383 days, the Cougars (7-14, 1-9 Big 12) earned their first Big 12 Conference win of the season. Hunter led Houston with a season-high 23 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer. Junior guard Kierra Merchant posted 15 points while graduate forward Amirah Abdur-Rahim scored 13 points.

Cincinnati (8-14, 3-7 Big 12) had three scorers in double figures as Caliyah DeVillasee led the Bearcats with 21 points.

Houston set the tone early, building a 16-11 lead in the first quarter. Hunter opened the game with the first basket and later added two free throws as the Cougars jumped out to an 8-3 lead before the media timeout. Merchant scored six of her 15 points in the first quarter.

Both teams battled in the second quarter as Cincinnati tied the game at 23. Hunter helped the Cougars regain the lead while freshman guard Kayla King knocked down a 3-pointer and Abdur-Rahim completed a three-point play as Houston took a 35-31 lead into halftime.

The Bearcats outscored the Cougars 11-6 early in the third quarter to earn their first lead since the first quarter. Houston responded with a 12-2 run to lead 53-44. DeVillasee converted a three-point play as Houston carried a 53-47 lead into the fourth quarter.

Abdur-Rahim, Hunter and Merchant scored all 19 points for Houston in the fourth quarter, with Hunter contributing 10 of her 23 points in the frame. Houston led by as many as seven, but a Cincinnati 9-2 run tied the game at 67.

Abdur-Rahim knocked down two free throws, but Cincinnati responded to tie the game. Reagan Jackson made a trip to the free throw line, knocking down her first attempt to give Cincinnati a one-point lead, 70-69.

After a Houston timeout, Merchant found a wide-open Hunter in the corner as she hit the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired, giving the Cougars their first Big 12 victory of the season.

UP NEXT
Houston heads to #12/10 TCU for a 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, meeting inside Schollmaier Arena.

The Cougars return to Fertitta Center on Saturday for a 5 p.m., meeting against #21/20 Texas Tech for Girls Night/National Girls & Women in Sports Day game. Fans are encouraged to wear WHITE against the Lady Raiders.

Fans in attendance will receive a Sasha's bow keychain while supplies last. Fans can also pick up graduate forward Amani Bartlett's trading card and stick around for postgame autographs with all players.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities, purchasing tickets and joining Full Court Press, which provides support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.

– UHCougars.com –