Cincinnati would find some momentum after freshman guard Jizzle James got to his spot on the right baseline, creating great separation, knocking down the midrange shot. Cincinnati would turn it up from there, after a great defensive stop on the following, possession led to a Skillings three, forcing A Kansas Timeout, as the Jayhawks led 21-16. A great response from the Bearcats, after the Jayhawks quickly put this game in danger zone early after the early 10-0 run.
Although, the Bearcats cut the deficit to single digits, turnovers continued to pile up early for the Bearcats, before settling down late in the first half. The Bearcats trimmed the Jayhawks double digit lead to just one, after Thoams buried a huge and-1 over Nick Timberlake to make this a 24-23 game with just over six minutes remaining in the first half.
The Bearcats defense continued to get stops, which led to the Bearcat offense start to get rolling, as Skillings forced two quick turnovers, resulting in a personal five point run on the offensive end to make this a 33-32 game with just over two minutes remaining in the first half. Thomas, got downhill and attacked, finishing through a lot of contact from Dickinson, to give the Bearcats their first lead of the night.
The Bearcats weathered the early storm as they found a way to tie this game at 35 heading to the break. A game in which Kansas looked like they could put this one away early after their hot start, but the Bearcats resiliency is what kept them in this one as they ended the first half on a 9-3 run. The Jayhawks on the other were held without a field goal for the final three minutes of the first half, following the Furphy made three.
Skillings led all scorers with 14 points as the sophomore guard was locked in tonight which was a great sight to see for the Bearcats. The Bearcats held Dickinson, to just 10 points, as the Bearcats length and physicality made it hard for the seven-footer to get going on the glass. Cincinnati outrebounded the Jayhawks 21-12 in the first half, as Aziz Bandaogo was a huge impact on the defensive end, grabbing eight of those 21 for the Bearcats.
Cincinnati would find themselves in early foul trouble as Reed and Thomas each picked up there third foul early in the first half, resulting in the Bearcats looking for significant minutes from James at the point guard position. The Jayhawks came out with seven unanswered to start the second half, five in which came from Johnny Furphy, as the Jayhawks regained their lead 42-39.
However, for Cincinnati, it appeared there was a giant lid hoovering over the basket, as they shot just 1-10 from the floor to start the second half. The only made field goal, coming from James, after a tough finish in the paint, through contact. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks started to pour it on after a McCullar made three, forced a Cincinnati timeout, trailing 48-41.
Cincinnati would trim the Jayhawks lead to six, with 11:14 remaining, but the Bearcats needed to find some rhythm on offense, after Dickinson picked up his fourth foul with 10:25 left in the second half. Cincinnati would respond with a huge defensive stop, from Newman, who went coast to coast for the finish as Cincinnati looked to take advantage with no Dickinson looming in the frontcourt.
However, for both teams, they would be shooting free throws for the final nine minutes of this one, as both teams were into the bonus after a very physical back-and-forth battle. Which means, a lot of free throws for both teams, something the Bearcats have struggled with as of late. Will they be able to capitalize on them here tonight at historic Allen Fieldhouse.
Cincinnati held the Jayhawks scoreless for nearly three minutes of play but couldn’t convert on the offensive end as they missed six of their seven shots during that span. However, the Jayhawks started to pour it on the Bearcats taking a 59-52 with five minutes left in the first half, following a KJ Adams made jumper.
Cincinnati’s offense just went ice cold, as they were held without a field goal for nearly seven minutes before Thomas knocked down the midrange jumper. During that span the Bearcats shot just 1-for-7 in that span, which made it difficult to overcome the Jayhawks down the final stretch. The Bearcats willed their way back towards the end, after four quick points from James made this a 71-65 game with just under thirty seconds left.
The Jayhawks found a way to hold on towards the end, despite Dickinson being nonexistent in the second half of this contest. The Bearcats held the talented seven-footer scoreless in the second half, as Dickinson was not the same after picking up his third foul late in the first half. However, the Bearcats fall to one of the nation’s best teams in Kansas, as the Jayhawks defeat the Bearcats 74-69.
Up Next
Wes Miller and the Bearcats will now have roughly five days to prepare for their next matchup as they welcome Central Florida to Fifth Third Arena on Saturday. Tip off for that contest is slated for 7 pm.
