TicketsCINCINNATI – The No. 16 Cincinnati men's basketball team came back from a 19-point second-half deficit to tie the game in the final minute, but ultimately fell to Arizona, 72-67, on Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena.
The Bearcats were led by Daniel Skillings Jr. (season-high 18 points) and Dillon Mitchell (13 points). UC dropped to 10-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12.
The Wildcats were led by guards Jaden Bradley (15 points) and Caleb Love (12 points). Arizona improved to 8-5 overall and 2-0 in the league.
A layup by Skillings Jr. tied the game 64-64 with 58 seconds left, but Arizona answered right back when Bradley drove the lane for a layup of his own.
The Wildcats went 6-of-7 on free-throws down the stretch and grabbed the rebound on the one miss to secure the victory.
Cincinnati trailed by 19 with 17:22 remaining and slowly chipped away.
Trailing 58-45 with nine minutes left, Mitchell spearheaded a 9-0 run to get the Bearcats back into the game. His steal and two-handed windmill throwdown got the Fifth Third crowd to its feet. On the other end of the floor, fifth-year center Aziz Bandaogo rose up and sent back Arizona forward Trey Townsend's shot, leading to a wide-open transition 3 for Mitchell, who splashed the trey, forcing the Wildcats to call timeout.
Senior guard Day Day Thomas added a layup to cap the run and bring UC within 6, 58-52, with 7:24 remaining.
Shortly after a Simas Lukosius' trey, Arizona's Carter Bryant lifted Arizona to a 64-57 lead with 4:12 left.
Sophomore guard Jizzle James sparked a 7-0 run with back-to-back baskets. After Bandaogo split a pair of free throws, Skillings Jr. made a contested layup to tie the game.
Cincinnati struggled from the field in the first half, shooting 32% (9-of-28) and 20% (2-of-10) from deep as Arizona took a 39-26 lead at the break.
FROM WES MILLER
"Congratulations to Arizona. I thought they came in and played with great energy defensively and made it difficult for us and made plays. I thought we did a nice job of digging back into the game and showing some character when we were down 18 at one point. I was proud of that part and then I was not pleased with the offensive and defensive execution in the last minute, but you have to give them credit for making plays."
On Dan Skillings Jr.'s performance
"Dan [Skillings Jr] is getting back to his old self. I have told you guys that taking a month off is very difficult but the more he stays with it, the better he will be down the stretch."
UP NEXT
The Bearcats head to Waco, Texas to face Baylor at Foster Pavilion on Tuesday at 8 p.m. The game will be televised live on ESPN+.
The Bearcats were led by Daniel Skillings Jr. (season-high 18 points) and Dillon Mitchell (13 points). UC dropped to 10-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12.
The Wildcats were led by guards Jaden Bradley (15 points) and Caleb Love (12 points). Arizona improved to 8-5 overall and 2-0 in the league.
A layup by Skillings Jr. tied the game 64-64 with 58 seconds left, but Arizona answered right back when Bradley drove the lane for a layup of his own.
The Wildcats went 6-of-7 on free-throws down the stretch and grabbed the rebound on the one miss to secure the victory.
Cincinnati trailed by 19 with 17:22 remaining and slowly chipped away.
Trailing 58-45 with nine minutes left, Mitchell spearheaded a 9-0 run to get the Bearcats back into the game. His steal and two-handed windmill throwdown got the Fifth Third crowd to its feet. On the other end of the floor, fifth-year center Aziz Bandaogo rose up and sent back Arizona forward Trey Townsend's shot, leading to a wide-open transition 3 for Mitchell, who splashed the trey, forcing the Wildcats to call timeout.
Senior guard Day Day Thomas added a layup to cap the run and bring UC within 6, 58-52, with 7:24 remaining.
Shortly after a Simas Lukosius' trey, Arizona's Carter Bryant lifted Arizona to a 64-57 lead with 4:12 left.
Sophomore guard Jizzle James sparked a 7-0 run with back-to-back baskets. After Bandaogo split a pair of free throws, Skillings Jr. made a contested layup to tie the game.
Cincinnati struggled from the field in the first half, shooting 32% (9-of-28) and 20% (2-of-10) from deep as Arizona took a 39-26 lead at the break.
FROM WES MILLER
"Congratulations to Arizona. I thought they came in and played with great energy defensively and made it difficult for us and made plays. I thought we did a nice job of digging back into the game and showing some character when we were down 18 at one point. I was proud of that part and then I was not pleased with the offensive and defensive execution in the last minute, but you have to give them credit for making plays."
On Dan Skillings Jr.'s performance
"Dan [Skillings Jr] is getting back to his old self. I have told you guys that taking a month off is very difficult but the more he stays with it, the better he will be down the stretch."
UP NEXT
The Bearcats head to Waco, Texas to face Baylor at Foster Pavilion on Tuesday at 8 p.m. The game will be televised live on ESPN+.