However, the Bearcats handled the pressure well through the first twenty minutes of action. However, for them to keep their foot on the gas, they would have to find a way to make someone other than Disu beat you on the offensive end. The Longhorns also saw five players with two fouls in the first half, so expect for them to come out and find ways to attack inside to start the second half.
The Bearcats would take their first lead since early in the first half following four quick points as the Bearcats quickly establish their presence inside. The Bearcats had all the momentum following the end of the first half as they looked to turn it up in the second half, like they did vs BYU on Saturday. However, the Bearcats offense will go cold following the under 16 media timeout, after a 1-of-8 shooting streak, with four turnovers in that segment.
Jizzle James would come in and make an immediate impact in hopes of a repeat of his performance vs BYU. The freshman guard came in and provided a huge spark after knocking turn a midrange jumper and coming away with a steal on the very next defensive possession that resulted in two points from Reynolds. A huge opportunity looms for James, can he be that spark for the Bearcats in consecutive games, this time with his father Edgerrin, in the building for the first time all season at Fifth Third Arena.
Jamille Reynolds would become the factor for the Bearcats as they took a 53-49 lead following a huge two-handed slam following the offensive rebound. A slam, that sparked a six-point swing for the Bearcats that all started with the play of James off the bench. However, for the Longhorns they would it the Bearcats lead to one following a Disu made three-point jumper, as the forward was now up to 24 points on the evening.
Simas Lukosius would answer right back with a three on the other end that gave the Bearcats a 62-61 lead. However, it was the Disu show for the Longhorns as he continued to ne the heart and soul of the Longhorns point of attack this evening. Abmas, would come right back and bury another quick three for the Longhorns to give them a four-point lead, forcing a Cincinnati timeout.
The Bearcats would respond with a huge momentum swing after Lukosius buried a three out of the timeout, followed by a midrange jumper from James, just like that the Bearcats controlled a 67-66 lead forcing a timeout from Rodney Terry and the Longhorns. However, the Longhorns lead didn’t last for long after Lukosius went on a six-point run to give the Bearcats a 73-70 lead with just under a minute to play, as the Lithuanian was putting the Bearcats on his shoulders down the stretch.
However, the Bearcats had the opportunity to seal the game, but missed free throws continued to haunt the Bearcats after John Newman missed the 1-1 opportunity to give the Longhorns one final opportunity as time expired. Max Abmas would come down rise up and hit the biggest shot of the season that would eventually be the game winner with five seconds left.
Final Stats
Dylan Disu led all scorers with a career high 33 points on 13-of-26 shooting, propelling the Longhorns to a huge win as they bounce back following their loss to Texas Tech over the weekend. Disu, gave the Bearcats problems all night and they simply had no answer for the 6’9″ forward.
Simas Lukosius led the Bearcats with a season high 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting as he propelled the Bearcats comeback down the stretch of this one. Lukosius hit consecutive buckets late in the shot clock when the Bearcats desperately needed them the most, which is something he has done over the last few games.
Viktor Lakhin continued to have an effective night as he finished with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Lakhin made his presence early after scoring eight of the Bearcats first ten points of the game. However, Texas did a great job containing him following his hot start.
From Wes Miller
“Hats off to Texas, that was a heck of a college basketball game. When you lose a one possession basketball game it hurts. Losing always hurts, but when you lose like that, it stings in a really serious way.” said Miller. “I was proud of how we kept fighting. I thought Simas was special. He made some big time plays down the stretch when our team needed it the most. That is what big-time players do, we have known that about him for a long time, but he was special tonight.”
Up Next
The Bearcats (12-3, 1-1 Big 12) will be back in action as they travel to Waco, Texas on Saturday to take on No. 20 ranked Baylor.
