Zach Fries | Staff Reporter
Fortunately for UC fans, this game wasn’t nearly as stressful as the Jan. 10th game at Tulsa.
The Bearcats won that game 70-65 in OT.
On Thursday night at Fifth Third Arena, the Bearcats never trailed and shot 48 percent from three-point range, culminating into an 88-64 throttling of the Golden Hurricane.
UC jumped out to 10-2 lead in the first half and never looked back. Jarron Cumberland scored 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Wednesday marked the 12th time that Cumberland has scored at least 20 points in a game in his career.
Trevon Scott had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Scott now has five doubles-doubles this season.
“I score the ball, but I try leave that to the guards. But why not go out and try to get 10 rebounds every night…. I have to live up to the tradition,” Scott said after the game.
Justin Jenifer continued his impressive run from beyond the arc. The senior was 6-of-10 from three-point range. Jenifer is shooting nearly 45 percent from deep this year. He came into this season as a 35 percent shooter from three.
“He [Jenifer] has put in a lot of time in and his shot preparation is as good as anyone I’ve coached,” Mick Cronin said after the game. “He’s got a lot of character.”
Cincinnati has now won five in a row after a Jan. 5th loss at ECU. Even though the Bearcats are 17-3 Mick Cronin knows that the toughest challenges for his team are still ahead.
“Our schedule is back-loaded and we’ve got a lot of tough games… Nine of our 13 guys are in their first or second year in our program, but if we have the right attitude and work ethic then we have a chance to get better and we have to be willing to do what it takes.” Cronin said.
ON THE GLASS: UC dominated Tulsa on the glass 44-26. Trevon Scott led UC with 11 rebounds. Nysier Brooks tallied seven boards.
CANE CAN: Cane Broome scored 10 points off the bench. Broome was the hero in the Bearcats 70-65 win over Tulsa on Jan. 10th, scoring 16 points and hitting the game-tying shot to send the game into overtime.
CHARITY STRIPE STRUGGLES: If there’s anything to nitpick from the game it was the free-throw shooting. UC was 10-for-20 at the line.
ASSIST AVALANCHE: Cincinnati recorded a season-high 20 assists. Keith Williams and Jarron Cumberland each had five assists.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Bearcats head to Philadelphia Sunday (noon/CBS Sports Network) to face 15-4 (5-1) Temple. Temple defeated Memphis 85-76 on Wednesday.