After a challenging non-conference season, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball team kicked off their Big 12 schedule with a tough matchup against the eighth-ranked Houston Cougars on Saturday, January 3. The game at Fifth Third Arena saw Houston extend their winning streak over UC to 13 games, as the Cougars claimed a 67-60 victory.

The contest featured 10 lead changes and saw UC hold the lead for over 18 of the 40 minutes. However, as UC coach Wes Miller noted, “They finished the game. We didn’t finish the game.” This sentiment was echoed by players and fans alike, who recognized that despite strong performances throughout the game, UC fell short in the final moments.

UC has not defeated Houston or head coach Kelvin Sampson since February 1, 2020, when John Brannen was still at the helm. Since then, the Cougars have consistently come out on top, showcasing their ability to close games effectively.

Key Performers

For Houston, freshman Kingston Flemings delivered several clutch shots, finishing with 19 points. Senior Milos Uzan also played a pivotal role, hitting four second-half three-pointers and contributing 18 points. His final three-pointer with 2:48 remaining proved to be the game-winning shot.

On the Bearcats’ side, Day Day Thomas led the way with 15 points, 12 of which came in the first half. Moustapha Thiam added 13 points, all in the second half, while Baba Miller contributed 11 points and eight rebounds. Despite their efforts, UC was unable to secure the win.

Game Highlights

UC outshot Houston, converting 43% of their attempts compared to Houston’s 41%. However, Houston dominated the rebounding battle, grabbing 34 boards to UC’s 30. The crowd at Fifth Third Arena, which numbered 11,062, was one of the loudest of the season, adding to the intensity of the game.

With this win, Houston improved to 13-1 on the season and started Big 12 play with a 1-0 record. Meanwhile, UC dropped to 8-6 overall and 0-1 in league play. The Bearcats now face a Big 12 conference that includes four teams ranked in the Top 10 and six in the Top 25.

Coach Reactions

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson praised senior Milos Uzan, calling him the “guy that willed us” to victory. He also acknowledged the difficulty of playing at Fifth Third Arena, noting the strong fan support and the hard work of the UC team.

Sampson reflected on his history against UC, referencing the team as the “bellcow” during his time in the American Athletic Conference. He also spoke about the legacy of Oscar Robertson, emphasizing that the current generation of players may not fully understand its significance.

Injury Updates

Injuries plagued the Bearcats during the game. Kerr Kriisa suffered a shoulder separation in the first half and struggled to return to action. Coach Wes Miller expressed concern about the severity of the injury, noting that Kriisa could not lift his left arm above his head after the incident.

Tyler McKinley, a redshirt freshman forward, did not see any playing time due to ongoing recovery from an injury sustained earlier in the season. Shon Abaev, another freshman, was limited to just over nine minutes and missed all three of his shot attempts.

Looking Ahead

UC’s next challenge comes on Tuesday, January 6, when they travel to Morgantown for a matchup against West Virginia. The Mountaineers are coming off a loss to No. 3 Iowa State, giving UC a chance to bounce back.

Following the West Virginia game, UC will face UCF on January 11 and return home to take on the Colorado Buffaloes on January 14.