The No. 20 ranked Cincinnati Bearcats traveled down to Orlando, Florida to take on the No. 25 ranked UCF Knights in a battle of Top 25 American Athletic Conference foes. The Bearcats were fresh off a thriller against Memphis. They won a tough one against the Knights February 21st, so fans knew what to expect going to Orlando.
The Knights had their senior night showering their seniors with love, I’ll say this I’ll personally be happy the Bearcats won’t have to see Tacko Fall next year and B.J. Taylor. (Sorry to the other seniors) The Knights were able to hold junior guard Jarron Cumberland in check in the first half. The Bearcats main option had two points on 1-of-7 from the field and four turnovers (In the first game the Knights were able to hold him to 11 points). With foul trouble Nysier Brooks and Eliel Nsoseme by with two fouls, Trevon Scott put the team on his back with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists. The Fall Effect was in session as the Bearcats were held to 31% from the field and 25% from three. Behind Taylor’s nine points the Knights took a 29-21 lead into the half.
Come ON man. I like Tacko but you can't do this stuff. pic.twitter.com/etKBpuhTLD
— OhVarsity! (@OhVarsity) March 8, 2019
In the second half it seemed that the Knights were going to run away with the game, but the Bearcats had other opinions. Down seven points the Bearcats went on a 7-0 run started by a flagrant foul on Trevor Moore who calmly went to the line and made both free throws, followed by a huge three by Cane Broome and then Keith Williams knocked down a layup to tied it up at 51. During the last few minutes a couple of questionable calls happened but none bigger than after Cumberland got fouled on a floater (made the shot) and went to the line and missed the free throw the rebound was grabbed by Chad Brown, he’s pushed by his teammate out of bounds and it is called against Rashawn Fredricks, the good thing is Brown split the free throws and just put UCF up three points, but bad thing is UC should’ve had the ball down two under the basket.
Foul called on Fredericks. Sure. pic.twitter.com/zXccSVW9TT
— OhVarsity! (@OhVarsity) March 8, 2019
Cumberland missed a three, but UC was able to get another chance and Broome got a great look, but faded away slightly and the shot was just short. The Bearcats fell 58-55 to the tough Knights.
Scott finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Cumberland finished with 10 points on 5-of-18 from the field and five turnovers.
Now 25-5 overall and 14-3 in the AAC they can still own a share of the conference title on Sunday on Senior Day if they knock off No. 12 Houston.
