Fresh off a complete beat down of UCLA, Cincinnati welcomed South Carolina State to Fifth Third Arena for the last game of the year and the last game before conference play starts.
It was a tale of two halves for Cincinnati, they allowed South Carolina State to get a 3-0 lead, but in turn kept them under 20 points going into the half up 35-16. In the second half South Carolina State kept the game close threatening to get the game within 10 points, but the consistent play of Nysier Brooks helped pace the home team. Brooks finished with game highs in points and rebounds with 17 and eight. Mamoudou Diarra had a solid game with his 12 minutes of action scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds. Trevor Moore scored double digits for the first time this season with 10 points. Jarron Cumberland shook off foul trouble to score 12 points and dish out four assist. Justin Jenifer had another solid game with 11 points and five assists.
Cincinnati dominated the glass 46-28 and held South Carolina State to 34.6% from the field. I know Coach Cronin will be mad that they allowed them to shoot 48% from the field in the second half, that is just how coach is. With Christmas on Tuesday, just playing a slew of huge games and conference play starting January 2nd we can’t get mad at this effort.
Cincinnati is now 11-2 and on the brink of being ranked in the Top 25 after winning 77-56.
They will start conference play January 2nd against Tulane.
Check out @GoBearcatsMBB’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/GoBearcatsMBB/status/1076588163127275521?s=09
