Thrilling Victory: UC Men’s Basketball Snaps Baylor with a Close 69-67 Win!

CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati men’s basketball team enjoyed a thrilling 69-67 victory against Baylor at Fifth Third Arena on Tuesday. Jizzle James led the charge, scoring 18 points and making crucial plays on defense in the final moments of the game.

James wasn’t alone in his efforts. Dillon Mitchell added 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Josh Reed contributed 11 points, while Day Day Thomas scored 10 points and made three steals. With this win, Cincinnati improved to 17-11 overall and 7-10 in the Big 12. This victory also helped them bounce back from a previous defeat against Baylor.

The Bearcats started strong, executing a powerful 22-4 run to end the first half with a 39-26 lead. However, Baylor fought back, thanks to a series of 3-pointers from V.J. Edgecombe. At one point, they even took a one-point lead, 57-56, with eight minutes left.

Cincinnati responded with a 7-0 run, regaining control. After a pivotal three-pointer from Thomas, Cincinnati led 69-64 with just 1:30 left. Despite Baylor closing the gap to 69-67 with another three-pointer from Edgecombe, the Bearcats held on during the final moments. Senior center Aziz Bandaogo made a crucial defensive stand, blocking a potential game-tying shot. Thomas dove to secure the rebound with only 1.8 seconds on the clock.

Coach Wes Miller praised his team, saying, “This was a big-time win. I was impressed with how we played in the last seven minutes of the first half. Our defense was active, and we found our rhythm on offense. Although we faced challenges in the second half, I’m proud of how we handled it. Our team is growing and supporting each other, which is essential.”

James added, “Our confidence is high. We’re stacking wins and enjoying playing together. It feels good to see our hard work paying off.” Thomas mentioned the importance of having a “next play” mindset, emphasizing that it’s crucial to move on and trust their training after a mistake.

UP NEXT: The Bearcats will head to Houston on Saturday to face the No. 4-ranked Cougars at 4:30 p.m. This game will be televised on CBS. Following that, they are set to return home for Senior Day against Kansas State on March 5 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.