After winning an overtime thriller versus the Golden Hurricane on Thursday they put their nine game home winning streak up against American Athletic Conference rival UConn. After the whole team was sick Thursday most were in better shape on a snowy Saturday evening in Cincinnati.
UConn came out hot making their first four shots taking a 11-5 lead on the Bearcats. The Bearcats made a multiple player run to tie it at 19. A timely three by Keith Williams gave them a lead followed by a great low post bucket by Nysier Brooks. Led by Jarron Cumberland’s nine points the Bearcats took a 33-32 lead into the half. UConn’s Jalen Adams had 10 points, four rebounds and five assists. Williams had eight points in the first half.
Brooks started off the half with back to back buckets, one was a Kareem style hook and the next bucket was similar to a Hakeem shemmy turn around jumper. After a Williams bucket the Bearcats were up 11 with 12:44 left in the second half. It seemed as if the Bearcats were going to cruise to an easy win, but UConn had other plans going on an 8-0 run to put the pressure back on the home team. Justin Jenifer hit a three to stop the run and the Bearcats pushed it back to eight, but UConn ended up taking a one point lead. After two made free throws by Cumberland and nice find by Trevon Scott to Brooks the lead up was up four points, Alterique Gilbert hit a three pointer to get the lead down to one and Cane Broome split the following free throws to set up the finish of regulation. Gilbert made the buzzer beater to force overtime. Just think Adams fouled out late in the second half.
The Bearcats jumped out to a five point lead in overtime, but mistakes and missed free throws kept the game opened. Gilbert made a pair of free throws to get the game within three, after Broome made a pair of free throws, Gilbert got an and one and got the game to within two. Jenifer missed a pair of free throws, but then drew offensive foul to secure the 74-72 win in overtime.
The Bearcats won their second overtime game in consecutive games. They were outrebounded by eight today and shot 25-of-38 from the line. UConn was 11-of-27 from three and a lot of quality looks that didn’t drop which is uncharacteristic for a Cronin led team.
Cumberland finished with 22 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Williams had 12 points, Jenifer had 13 points and that huge charge call. Brooks finished with 17 points and six rebounds.
The Bearcats are now 14-3 overall and 3-1 in the AAC. They will play USF on Tuesday at Fifth Third Arena.
