The Cincinnati Bearcats come back home after having six days off in a row. It seems like an eternity for #BearcatNation, but after completing a 14 point comeback on the road they invited the SMU Mustangs into Fifth Third Arena Saturday evening. Could the Bearcats push their streak to seven?
Early in the game junior guard Jarron Cumberland let everybody know he was in the building knocking down two three’s in a row. A strong first half by Cane Broome scoring nine points and dishing out three assists. When he came in he helped put a spark to the Bearcats offense. It was great to see Trevor Moore knock down three three pointers in the first half also. Cumberland finished the first half with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists. In the first half they held the Mustangs to 33.3% from three and took a 42-35 lead into the half.
In the second half it started off well as the Bearcats pushed the lead to double digits, but every time you thought they were going to pull away the Mustangs made plays led by senior guard Jahmal McMurray scored 13 of his 21 points in the final twenty minutes. Cumberland kept trucking scoring 11 of his game high 24 points in the second half (nine rebounds and five assists). Timely plays late in the second half by Justin Jenifer hitting a pull up jumper and Nysier Brooks finishing a play in the post was the difference in a tight game.
Keith Williams finished with 13 points, Brooks finished with 10 points and Broome finished with 11 points.
The Mustangs made six three’s in the second half, which didn’t delight Cronin, but they did win the rebounding battle 35-32 which is something you want to see from the Bearcats.
After the 73-68 win the Bearcats are 19-3 overall and 8-1 in the AAC. They will face Memphis on Thursday.
