Houston Cougars Dominate Cincinnati Bearcats
In a commanding performance, the No. 10 Houston Cougars defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats with a score of 76-54, marking their 38th consecutive victory against unranked teams. This game, held on a Saturday, showcased Houston’s dominance as they improved their record to 19 wins and 2 losses, along with a 7-1 mark in Big 12 play.
Key Player Performances
Milos Uzan was a standout player, contributing 16 points to the Cougars’ offense. He was supported by Emanuel Sharp, Chris Cenac Jr., and Isiah Harwell, each adding 13 points to the scoreboard. Notably, Cenac’s scoring surge occurred in the first half, where he shot an impressive 5-for-7, helping the Cougars establish a robust 32-20 lead by halftime.
Defensive and Offensive Dominance
Houston’s home success continues as they secured their 16th consecutive win on their own court, and their dominance extends to 14 straight victories over Cincinnati. The Cougars exhibited an efficient offensive performance, hitting 46% of their shots, including 9 three-pointers out of 26 attempts. Additionally, Houston’s defense was relentless, forcing 19 turnovers from Cincinnati and converting those into 26 points. The Cougars limited themselves to just four turnovers while dominating the paint with a 26-8 scoring advantage.
Cincinnati’s Struggles
Cincinnati’s effort was led by Jalen Celestine, who scored 15 points, and Keyshuan Tillery with 14. However, the Bearcats struggled, shooting 38% from the field and sinking 10 of their 23 three-point attempts. Houston built a significant lead following a critical seven-minute stretch where they outscored Cincinnati 16-5, pushing the score to 32-18 on a jumper from Mercy Miller. From that point, the Cougars maintained a double-digit lead throughout the remainder of the game.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Cincinnati will compete against West Virginia in their next outing on Thursday, while Houston prepares to host Central Florida on Wednesday.
