Postgame Notes: Cincinnati vs. UCF

Cincinnati Men's Basketball Postgame Notes
6/6 Cincinnati (22-2, 11-0 AAC) 77, UCF (14-9, 5-6 AAC) 40
February 6, 2018 • BB&T Arena (Highland Heights, Ky.)

Today's Attendance: 8,673

Starting Five: G Justin Jenifer • F Jacob Evans III • F Gary Clark • F Kyle Washington • G Jarron Cumberland

The Turning Point: After giving up an early basket to fall behind 2-0, the Cincinnati defense didn't allow the UCF offense to score a single point over the next 12:36 of play to build an 18-2 lead on its way to a 33-13 lead through the first 20 minutes of action. The Bearcats forced six turnovers in that span as the Knights missed 14 shots in a row.

Leaders: Four Bearcats scored in double figures on the night with Trevor Moore's career-high 14 points leading the way for all scorers in the game. Joining Moore in double-digit scoring was Kyle Washington (13), Gary Clark (12) and Justin Jenifer (11) as 11 of the 15 UC players to see time scored at least two points on the night. Ceasar DeJesus led the scoring for the visiting Knitghts as he scored 12 point on the night.

// TEAM NOTES

• With the win, Cincinnati improved to 22-2 overall and remained perfect in the American Athletic Conference at 11-0 after securing their 15th win in a row while UCF slipped to 14-9 on the year and 5-6 in league play.
• IN THE SERIES: Tonight's victory pushed Cincinnati's advantage in the all-time series with UCF to 10-1 while also seeing the Bearcats stay perfect in the series at home at 4-0. UC also leads, 4-1, in games being played at UCF and 2-0 in neutral site games. The 37-point is the largest winning margin in series history, besting the previous mark of 28 (2/19/14).
• The win today extended UC's nation-leading home winning streak to 39 games and also is the Bearcats' 23rd league home game victory in a row. The last time the Bearcats suffered a defeat on their home court came December 29, 2015, inside Fifth Third Arena to Temple in the 2015-16 AAC opener.
• Cincinnati has now won 15 in a row, which ties for the longest winning streak in the Mick Cronin Era. The current streak marks the fourth time a Cronin-led UC team has won 15-consecutive and the second year in a row after winning 15 between December 13, 2016, and February 8, 2017. It also ties for the eighth-longest streak in program history.
• Today's win marks the 1,779th victory in program history and keeps the Bearcats in 15th on the all-time wins list.
• HALFTIME REPORT: After UCF hit its first shot of the night to take an early 2-0 lead, the Bearcats' defense clamped down and limited the visitors to 13 points – tied for the fewest in the Mick Cronin Era – to take a 33-13 lead into the intermission. UC held the Knights scoreless for a stretch of 12:36 before a pair of free throws brought about UCF's third and fourth points of the night. The Knights, who were limited to 19.2 percent shooting from the floor, made just 5-of-26 shots from the floor in the first 20 minutes of play while UC shot 32.4 percent (11-of-34), including 35 percent from three-point range (7-of-20). Cincinnati, which forced eight turnovers and blocked four shots, saw both Justin Jenifer and Kyle Washington score nine points each while Trevor Moore scored eight off the bench.
• The 13 points scored by UCF in the first half tied for the fewest allowed by a Mick Cronin-led team, tying the 2012-13 squad that limited Marquette to 13 points on January 19, 2013. The 13 points allowed also marked the second time this year the Bearcats defense has held a foe under 15 points in the opening half of play after Richmond was only able to score 14 on November 21, 2017, in the Cayman Islands Classic.
• UCF went 0-of-14 from behind the arc, marking the third time under Mick Cronin that the Bearcats have not allowed a trey and it came on the most attempts in those three instances. The previous two occasions were at #24/#22 Pittsburgh (0-for-10) on December 31, 2012, and against Texas Southern (0-for-4) on November 18, 2008. 
• Tonight's 40 points allowed to UCF is the second-fewest on the year and just behind the 38 surrendered to UCF on the road in the first meeting (January 16). It also marks the eighth time this year UC has allowed 50 or fewer points in a contest.
• UCF was held to 40 points or less for the first time since December 4, 2003 in a 59-39 loss to Florida in Jacksonville, a span of 439 games. 
• UC had six blocks in the game and have stuffed three or more shots in each of its 23 games this season.
• UC totaled 22 points off 16 UCF turnovers, the 12th time this seasons scoring 20 or more points off opponent giveaways.

// PLAYER NOTES

• Gary Clark made his 125th career start, the most in program history, before helping the Bearcats to the win, which is the 97th of his UC career. That win total moved him into a tie for ninth all-time in program history with Ryan Fletcher, who was a part of 97 wins from 1996-00.
• Clark finished with 12 points and five rebounds, his 18th double-figure scoring game of the season and 67th for his career. 
• Trevor Moore scored a career-high 14 points in 13 minutes off the bench, besting his previous mark of 12 points against Memphis on Dec. 31, 2017. 
• Trevon Scott came off the bench to lead the team with a season-high eight rebounds. 
• Justin Jenifer finished with 11 points, his best scoring output since hitting for 16 against Coppin State on Nov. 16, 2017.
• Kyle Washington had 13 points, three rebounds and three blocks.