The Cincinnati Bearcats welcomed the Temple Owls to Fifth Third Arena on Friday. Cincinnati was supposed to play Memphis on the road Thursday, but covid postponed the game so we got a quick Temple rematch. The starting five for Cincinnati was David DeJulius, Mike Saunders, Jr., Jeremiah Davenport, Chris Vogt and Keith Williams. Would Cincinnati be able to push their winning streak to three?
Cincinnati started out down 9-2 as Temple came out firing on all cylinders. After a timeout by John Brannen, Cincinnati started to play like they wanted to keep their winning streak alive, led by the play of DeJulius and Zach Harvey. Harvey led the way in the first half with eight points off the bench. The sophomore guard is making his return after missing the last two games due to covid issues. Cincinnati won the rebound battle 21-16 in the first half. After a slow start the home team took a 32-26 lead into half time.
The second half was very chippy has Temple’s head coach Aaron McKie received a technical when he seemed to be talking a little bit to Davenport after a play. Williams also received a technical that Temple turned into a 4-0 run, but Davenport was able to make a three and a pull up jumper to stem the tide. The second half highlighted how bad the AAC referees can be as Tari Eason fouled out on a clean block, Mason Madsen received a foul call on a clean three point shot block and many more countless bad calls. Nonetheless, Cincinnati didn’t vaulter in a tough game and made enough plays down the stretch to secure the win. Madsen made two key free throws with 10 seconds left to push the lead to three points. Temple had another attempt, but air balled a three and then Mika Adams-Woods fouled Brendan Barry, Barry made the first, missed second one and promptly got a violation to seal the Cincinnati win.
With the 71-69, Cincinnati win they are now 6-7 overall and 4-4 in the AAC. Davenport had 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Mika Adams-Woods had 12 points, five rebounds and two steals. Vogt eight points and six blocks. Cincinnati will welcome UCF into Fifth Third Arena on Sunday at 1 pm.
