Debbie Merrill scored 28 points and Valerie King added 18 to propel the University of Cincinnati to a victory in a Preseason WNIT first-round game at Fifth Third Arena.
"It was kind of an ugly game, but it was a good win," UC coach Laurie Pirtle said.
Liberty (0-1) outrebounded the Bearcats 34-24, led by Katie Feenstra's seven boards, but UC's offense was the difference.
First-year starter Anne Stephens, a sophomore forward, tied a career high with 11 points.
The Bearcats (1-0) play the Miami-Michigan winner Monday.
