Recap: Cincinnati 84 Grambling State 49

by Ryan Roberts

Cincinnati concluded the non-conference portion of their schedule Sunday afternoon with an emphatic 84-49 win over the Grambling State Tigers.

In a highlight filled performance, three Bearcats reached double figures while five more scored seven points or more as UC improved their record to 10-1.

The Bearcats used an early 11-2 run to create separation and led 23-5 at 9:57 in the first half.

UC extended their lead to 29-9 following three's by Tyler Betsey on consecutive possessions with 7:25 remaining in the first half.

(Photos: Brandan Wesson / Wessography)

Grambling was able to grab some momentum and cut in to the deficit with a 9-0 run as UC failed to convert a field goal over the final 2:58 of the half.

Aziz Bandaogo scored 10 first half points to help lead the Bearcats to a 37-24 halftime lead. The 7'1" big man finished the game with 15 points to lead UC, while also pulling down six rebounds. Bandaogo continued to show great improvement at the free throw line, making 5-of-6 attempts.

Leading 41-29 with 17:52 remaining in the game, Simas Lukosius buried a three to kick-start a 9-0 run over the next 1:52.

With UC leading 56-33, Dillon Mitchell provided the highlight of the game.

Needing a basket and the shot clock at :07 seconds, Day Day Thomas drove from the top of the key to the left elbow.

Thomas saw a cutting Mitchell and hit him in stride. Mitchell took the pass, rose up, and proceeded to throw down a vicious one-handed tomahawk dunk over 6'9" Grambling big man Ernest Rose.

"I just jump and whatever they do, that's up to them," said Mitchell following the game. "I hope they read the scouting report. I'm just going to jump and if you want to meet me up there, we can meet up there."

Mitchell finished as the Bearcats' second leading scorer, contributing 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while adding seven rebounds.

 

 

Dan Skillings' dunk with 9:51 remaining gave the Bearcats a 30-point advantage, 65-35.

The Bearcats cruised over the final nine minutes, watching their lead grow to as much as 37 points. 

UC's final two points of the game came with :29 seconds left in the game on two Day Day Thomas free throws.

Thomas scored 12 points in the second half to pace Cincinnati, after being held scoreless during the first 20 minutes. 

"I thought we played the right way in the second half and I was pleased with that," Wes Miller told media following the game. "Sometimes this kind of game can be difficult for a team and I thought it showed some character cause you come off of two local games that there's a ton of energy and emotion, you got Christmas break right in front of you and these guys are ready to get home and get a breather, and then you got 20 league games in the Big 12, it's kind of easy to look past."

Miller continued.

"I didn't think our guys did that at all, so you know, big picture I was pleased tonight."

 

Key Stats and Notes:

- Cincinnati closed out the non-conference part of their schedule with a dominant win.

The Bearcats made just 9-of-32 three's but made 46% of their field goal attempts and converted 15-of-20 from the free throw line. 

"We took care of business in non-conference. You wanted to make sure that you did your part in your non-con to put yourself in position going in to league play to be a quality team and I think we've done that. We've checked that box. Perfect? No. No it's not perfect. We have a lot of room for improvement but when you look back to the non-con, I don't think we didn't do our part, so that part I'm pleased with."

- Both Tyler Betsey and Arrinten Page came off the bench to provide quality minutes. The duo combined for 18 points, 10 rebounds.

Page has been battling the flu for the last week but still managed to contribute Friday night in the win over Dayton and had another solid outing against Grambling, scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds. 

"AP was still dealing with the flu this morning and yesterday," said Miller. "I was really impressed (he) played Friday night and I was really impressed AP gutted it out today. Young man's got a lot of toughness. A lot of guys wouldn't have done that."

Betsey made 2-of-7 three-point attempts in 20 minutes of action and also converted an "and-one" late in the game to give him nine points to go along with four rebounds.

- Connor Hickman has also been battling the flu and was held out Sunday afternoon with discomfort in his foot.

Wes Miller noted that Hickman could have played Sunday but was held out as a precaution to give him extended rest prior to the conference schedule beginning December 30th.

 

 

 

 

- The Bearcats have been dominant defensively throughout the first 11 games. They have held all 11 opponents under 70 points, with Sunday's total by Grambling being a season low for both teams.

Grambling was held to 34% from the field and 14% from deep. Cincinnati also scored 25 points off sixteen Grambling turnovers and out-rebounded the Tigers, 42-30.

The Bearcats dominated the paint as well, outscoring Grambling 40-26.

“I thought this week we looked more natural in our defensive concepts," said Miller. "I think we've improved in a lot of areas, and we have to keep doing it. We have to keep growing, keep improving. We haven't arrived in any area. I'm not pleased with any area, but I do think this team has continued to grow and improve. We've been a team that's continued to improve over time, and we have to continue to be that team when we get back from Christmas.” 

 

Final Thoughts:

Dan Skillings, Jizzle James, and Simas Lukosius all three scored seven points. The trio were a combined 3-for-17 from three, however. Nothing to be concerned about but it should be noted that Lukosius is now 5-for-25 from three over the past three games. For Cincinnati to be successful during Big 12 play, they will need Lukosius to be closer to the 40% mark that he is shooting for the season.

UC will now get a few days off before returning to practice on the 26th to start preparing for their Big 12 opener at Kansas State on Monday December 30th. 

Postgame video: Miller, Mitchell recap win

 

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