Battle of Top 25 teams took place in Houston, Texas late Sunday afternoon between No. 25 Cincinnati Bearcats and No. 12 Houston Cougars. Both teams came into this game 9-1 in the American Athletic Conference and the winner would be solely in first place. Would the Bearcats be able to have a more complete game on road? They can’t afford the same slow start they had against Temple and Memphis if they want to get a huge road win.
In the first half Houston controlled the game with bench scoring and timely offensive rebounding. Strong halves from Keith Williams and Jarron Cumberland kept the Bearcats afloat. Williams had eight points and Cumberland finished with 11 points. Cumberland picked up his second foul of the half with 5:24, but only trailed by one point at the half (34-33). Corey Davis, Jr. a lot of havoc scoring 11 points in the first half. As great as the Cougars were playing the Bearcats stayed within striking distance to give hope when Cumberland returned in the second half.
In the second half the game went back and forth with big shot after big shot by both teams. Davis, Jr. was hot in the first half and in the second half Dejon Jarreau stepped up and scored 14 of his 16 points to match Jarron Cumberland’s onslaught. After Cumberland knocked down a three to take 58-57 lead with 6:11 left in the game they went 0-of-10 from the field and 0-of-1 from the line. Needless to say the Cougars went on a 8-0 run the final 6:11 to secure a 65-58 win. Cumberland finished with 27 points for a game high, but only Cane Broome finished in double digits for the Bearcats.
The Bearcats had 13 more shots than the Cougars, but only shot 33.3% from the field. They lost the rebounding battle 42-36 and lost blocks 9-2. The Cougars are now alone in the No. 1 spot in the AAC, but Senior Day in March 10th will be interesting for the return match.
Now 20-4 overall and 9-2 in the AAC and off until next Sunday against Wichita State at Fifth Third Arena.
