On a cold Tuesday evening the Cincinnati Bearcats welcomed the SMU Mustangs into Fifth Third Arena for an AAC showdown. SMU came into the game tied for 2nd place with Wichita State and Cincinnati. Would Cincinnati be able to build off of their road win against Temple?
The game started with an 8-0 run by Keith Williams and Jarron Cumberland who both scored four points a piece during that time frame. While SMU made a small run after hitting back to back threes CJ White and Tyson Jolly to close Cinncinnati’s lead to four points (18-14), but after that little run by SMU the rest of the half went all UC as Jar. Cumberland continued his full on assault of SMU. Jar. Cumberland finished with 15 points on 5-of-7 from the floor. Mika Adams-Woods did a great job setting the tone with the great defense displayed on guard Kendric Davis. Davis came into the game averaging 16.2 points and and 7.2 assists and had a double donut in the first half. Williams finished the first half with seven points. I also wanted to highlight the play of freshman guard Zach Harvey who hit a three and picked up a couple of fouls. I thought he did a great job while on the floor.
Cincinnati had a 33-19 lead at the half while shooting 46.2% from the field and holding SMU to 24.0% from the field, they also controlled the glass 20-14.
In the second half it was more of the Jar. Cumberland show, but the defensive effort didn’t slow down as Davis finished the game with zero points and zero assists. Chris Vogt was more assertive in the second half scoring six of his nine points. Jar. Cumberland finished with 28 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Williams finished with 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Cincinnati held SMU to 25.9% from the field and 27.6% from three while being able to shoot 48.1% from the field. UC was also able to win the battle on the glass 38-28. SMU did only commit 12 turnovers to UC’s 13, but that margin wasn’t enough for SMU tonight as UC won 65-43.
Cincinnati is now 13-7 overall and 6-2 in the AAC, they will face No. 21/20 Houston on Saturday at Fifth Third Arena (6 pm).
