TicketsWACO, Texas -- Baylor shot 50 percent in the first half with only three turnovers, while Cincinnati struggled to find its own offensive rhythm in a 68-48 defeat to the Bears on Tuesday night.
Cincinnati had entered the contest sixth nationally in KenPom for defense, in addition to ranking in the top-20 for multiple defensive categories.
Dan Skillings led UC with 18 points, a season-high for all three Big 12 games, which includes 18 each against Kansas State and Arizona.
Day Day Thomas' back-to-back treys at the midway point of the first half each countered Baylor buckets. He is now 15-for-35 on the year (42.9 percent).
The Bears took their largest lead at 27-18 with 6:40 left, prompting a Cincinnati timeout. It got to as much as 16 before an eventual 35-20 difference at the break, and the Bearcats were not able to get back within single-digits.
Aziz Bandaogo added 11 points. UC entered the night 12-1 and 6-0 this year when he accomplished the feat.
FROM WES MILLER
"We certainly had discussions on the bench among the coaching staff on a number of things (in-game). Our half-court, man-to-man defense has been the most reliable thing we've had going all year long. I even felt tonight that when we locked in on all five, we felt there would be a breakthrough. Give them credit, they got a handful of baskets in transition and our defense had a lack of effort to get back."
UP NEXT
Cincinnati hosts No. 11 Kansas at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Cincinnati had entered the contest sixth nationally in KenPom for defense, in addition to ranking in the top-20 for multiple defensive categories.
Dan Skillings led UC with 18 points, a season-high for all three Big 12 games, which includes 18 each against Kansas State and Arizona.
Day Day Thomas' back-to-back treys at the midway point of the first half each countered Baylor buckets. He is now 15-for-35 on the year (42.9 percent).
The Bears took their largest lead at 27-18 with 6:40 left, prompting a Cincinnati timeout. It got to as much as 16 before an eventual 35-20 difference at the break, and the Bearcats were not able to get back within single-digits.
Aziz Bandaogo added 11 points. UC entered the night 12-1 and 6-0 this year when he accomplished the feat.
FROM WES MILLER
"We certainly had discussions on the bench among the coaching staff on a number of things (in-game). Our half-court, man-to-man defense has been the most reliable thing we've had going all year long. I even felt tonight that when we locked in on all five, we felt there would be a breakthrough. Give them credit, they got a handful of baskets in transition and our defense had a lack of effort to get back."
UP NEXT
Cincinnati hosts No. 11 Kansas at 2 p.m. on Saturday.