MBB Hosts Bryant on Sunday Night

CINCINNATI -- The University of Cincinnati men's basketball team returns home Sunday for a 7 p.m. contest against Bryant. The game also serves as the nightcap of a doubleheader with the women, who host Ole Miss at 2 p.m.

ESPN Plus | Live Stats | Tickets

THE RUNDOWN
Cincinnati (6-2) overcame an eight-point deficit at Miami, its largest in the second half of any game this season, to win 59-58 after two desperation shots in the paint didn't fall for the RedHawks. It was Miami's largest crowd since 1999. Grad transfer Abdul Ado recorded the team's first double-double with season-highs in points (14), rebounds (11) and minutes (26). Mika Adams-Woods (now leading the nation in assist-turnover ratio at 7.5)  also produced his second-straight game of five assists with no turnovers, while Jeremiah Davenport also added 14 points. All of his double-figure scoring games have accounted for UC's six wins.

UC also won the rebounding battle 48-36, including a 22-11 advantage on the offensive glass (both season-highs). The Bearcats boast a plus-8.2 margin in wins compared to a minus-8.0 in defeats. UC's last two games have also been decided by three combined points. When the Bearcats made their AAC Championship Game run last year, they defeated SMU and Wichita State, 74-71 and 60-59, respectively, and were 7-1 in games decided by three or fewer points.

The defense, sparked by the return of John Newman III, returned to form by allowing a modest 27.3 percent showing from deep. Monmouth in the previous game went 8-for-16 after UC held its previous three foes to 8-of-54. The Bearcats have also led at the half in every game this season.

SERIES HISTORY
It is the first all-time meeting between the teams. Junior guard Charles Pride comes from the same hometown as Mika Adams-Woods (Syracuse) and same prep school as freshman C.J. Anthony. Bryant enters with a 3-5 record after falling at Houston on Friday night.