Postgame Notes: Cincinnati 74, UConn 72 in Overtime

2018-19 Cincinnati Men's Basketball Postgame Notes
Cincinnati (14-3, 3-1 AAC) 74, UConn (10-7, 1-3 AAC) 72 - OVERTIME
January 12, 2019 • Fifth Third Arena (Cincinnati)

Starting Five: G Keith Williams • G Justin Jenifer • F Trevon Scott • C Nysier Brooks • G Jarron Cumberland

The Turning Point: With 2:49 left in overtime, the Bearcats scored their only baskets of the extra session with Nysier Brooks slamming home a dunk and Justin Jenifer following with a triple from the corner to push the hosts toward the victory. With a five-point Cincinnati lead, both teams traded free throws with 18 seconds remaining before UConn closed within two (74-72) with a Alterique Gilbert layup and free throw. UC had a chance to ice the game from the line with Jenifer a missed both attempts before drawing a foul on the sideline with one second remaining to help UC escape with the victory.

Leaders: Jarron Cumberland led all scorers with 22 points on the night, marking his seventh 20-point game of the season and the third in his last four home games as he was 11-of-12 from the line. Playing 42 minutes, he led the team in points and assists (7) while tying for the rebounding lead with Nysier Brooks as each pulled down six. Brooks was one of three other Bearcats to hit double digits on the night with a career-high-tying 17 points while Jenifer (13) and Keith Williams (12) also hit double figures. The Huskies were paced by Gilbert's 18 points while both Christian Vital and Jalen Adams added 16 and Josh Carlton 10.

// TEAM NOTES

• Cincinnati improved to 14-3 overall and 3-1 in the American while UConn fell to 10-7 overall and 1-3 in league play.
• IN THE SERIES: The victory, Cincinnati's fifth in a row over UConn, gave the Bearcats the lead in the all-time series at 14-13 while also seeing their record improve to 8-3 in home games against the Huskies.
• WORKING OVERTIME: The Bearcats are now 58-55 all-time in overtime games with a 49-44 mark in single overtime contests, including 2-0 this season. The win also broke a tie for most overtime wins by a coach in program history as it was the 15th in Mick Cronin's career (15-12), moving him past Bob Huggins, who was 14-11 in his time in Clifton.
• BACK-TO-BACK OT: Cincinnati played consecutive overtime games for the first time since the 2013-14 season and just the fifth time in program history. Following their 70-65 victory at Tulsa Thursday night, the Bearcats have won in overtime in consecutive games for just the second time in program history, joining the 1966-67 team.
•         2018-19: W, 70-65, at Tulsa (1/10/19) & W, 74-72, home vs. UConn (1/12/19)
•         2014-15: L, 56-55, at Nebraska (12/13/14) & W, 71-62, home vs. #17 San Diego State (12/17/14)
•         1966-67: W, 77-70, at Wisconsin (12/3/66) & W, 45-44, home vs. Miami (Ohio)(12/10/66)
•         1963-64: W, 66-59, at Houston (2/10/64) & L, 59-58, home vs. #6 Wichita State (2/15/64)
•         1949-50: L, 67-59 (2ot), at DePaul (2/7/50) & W, 69-64, at West Virginia (2/11/50)
• With the win, Cincinnati is now 43-4 in home AAC games since joining the league when it began in the 2013-14 season. In the previous five seasons, UC posted records of 8-1, 8-1, 8-1, 9-0 and 8-1 before starting this year at 2-0 with tonight's win.
• The Bearcats are now 43-2 at home since the start of the 2016-17 season. They entered the game today leading the nation in home wins (42) and held the highest winning percentage (.955) since the start of the 2016-17 season.
• HALFTIME REPORT: UConn came out fast in the opening minutes of the game to stake an 11-5 lead before Cincinnati settled in and found its shooting touch to piece together an 11-5 run to take the lead. The Bearcats led the rest of the half and took a 33-32 advantage into the break. Jarron Cumberland led the Bearcats with nine points in the opening stanza with Keith Williams chipping in eight and Nysier Brooks six. Jalen Adams led all scorers with 10 points.
• Cincinnati scored 32 points in the paint in the game, marking the ninth time this season the Bearcats have tallied 30 or more in the lane. UC outscored the Huskies, 32-26, in the paint tonight.
• For the sixth time this year, Cincinnati recorded eight or more steals and did so for the second game in a row after recording 15 on the road at Tulsa Thursday night.
• UC also posted 15 assists, the 10th time it has done so this season. Six different players recorded at least one helper with Cumberland (7), Trevon Scott (3) and Cane Broome (2) recording two or more.

// PLAYER NOTES

• Jarron Cumberland scored 22 points, marking the seventh time this season he has scored 20 or more in a game and the 10th time in his career. Cumberland finished the game shooting 5-of-14 from the floor, but was 11-of-12 from the free throw line to reach his scoring mark. Of his seven 20-point games this season, five have come on his home floor.
• The 22 points tonight also helped Cumberland draw to within seven points of reaching the 1,000 point club at Cincinnati. Sitting on 993 points for his career, Cumberland could become the 53rd member of UC's 1,000 point club in the Bearcats' next game, a 7 p.m. game with visiting USF Tuesday, Jan. 15, inside Fifth Third Arena.
• Nysier Brooks tied his career high with 17 points scored on the night as the big man connected on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor and added a 5-of-8 performance from the charity stripe. Brooks, who saw a career-high 34 minutes on the court, also saw his six made shots from the floor tie his career high that he set at ECU last week.