Cincinnati Bearcats Triumph Over Utah Utes
In a closely contested matchup on Sunday, the Cincinnati Bearcats managed to fend off the Utah Utes, triumphing with a final score of 69-65. This victory marks Cincinnati’s third consecutive win, their first streak of such length since the beginning of the season when they started 4-0. With this loss, Utah now finds itself in a dire situation, suffering from a seven-game losing streak and having lost 12 out of their last 13 encounters in total.
Standout Performers
Moustapha Thiam was a standout for Cincinnati, delivering an impressive performance with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks. The 7-foot-2 sophomore recorded his fifth career double-double, of which three have occurred this season. Alongside him, Day Day Thomas contributed 16 points, while Baba Miller scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Keyshuan Tillery also added 10 points to the Bearcats’ tally.
Crucial Moments
The game featured tense moments, including a notable play from Keanu Dawes of Utah, who executed a spinning fadeaway shot that initially put the Utes ahead by five points with just 1 minute and 56 seconds remaining. Thomas responded effectively with a jumper, followed by Miller who not only sank two free throws but also made a powerful two-handed dunk, which proved crucial as it allowed Cincinnati to take a narrow 66-65 lead with only 40 seconds left on the clock.
Utah’s Struggles
Utah’s efforts were led by Don McHenry, who scored 18 points, while Dawes recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Notably, Dawes has been averaging 15.8 points and 10.2 rebounds over the past six games. The Utes have struggled on the road, now with 15 consecutive losses away from home, tying them with Binghamton and Gardner-Webb for the fifth-longest active streak nationally.
Historical Context and Upcoming Matches
Historically, Cincinnati leads the all-time series against Utah with a record of 5-2, and they remain unbeaten at home against the Utes, having won all four of their home matchups. Looking ahead, Utah will face off against West Virginia on Wednesday, while Cincinnati is set to visit the No. 9 ranked Kansas on Saturday.
