What we learned from Cincinnati Bearcats basketball home loss vs. West Virginia

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After two Big 12 contests across the country, it was good for the Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team to have a Sunday matinee at Fifth Third Arena.

Then, the game started.

Joseph Yesufu ended a dreadful UC first half by canning a 3-pointer at the buzzer for West Virginia and the Bearcats were down 15 points. Though they played spirited early in the second half, UC could not put anything together Sunday, losing to West Virginia 63-50.

As close as the Bearcats got was 61-50 when Rayvon Griffith hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 11. They would not score again over the final 3:25. Groundhog Day was Sunday and fans relived agony again.

Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jizzle James (2) walks off the court as the buzzer sounds and UC loses to West Virginia 63-50 Sunday. The Mountaineers kept James scoreless.

“I’m disgusted with our play,” UC coach Wes Miller said. “If I’m somebody that supports this program I’d be frustrated. I’d be pissed at what I was watching. I am too. I take full responsibility. It’s on me. We’ve got a lot of basketball left. We’ve got to figure out a way to play a style of basketball and a level of basketball that makes people proud about the way we wear the jersey. Right now, we’re not doing that.”

It was the first game of February at home coming off a disappointing January in front of the locals where UC won just one home game. They’re now 1-5 in league games at Fifth Third Arena, 12-9 overall and 2-8 in the Big 12. West Virginia goes to 14-7 (5-5 Big 12). Sunday 11,085 fans took in the event, with many safely in their vehicles at game’s end.

Javon Small, the Big 12’s top scorer, lived up to his billing hitting for his average of 19 points. Joseph Yesufu had 16 and didn’t miss a shot, finishing 6-fo-6 with four treys.

“I love Fifth Third Arena!” Small said. “This is probably my favorite gym to play in. My first college basketball game was at Cincinnati. I just like the gym.”

What UC might not have bargained for was Yesufu’s accuracy. He came in averaging 4.5 points per game…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/learned-cincinnati-bearcats-basketball-home-210706563.html

Author : The Enquirer

Publish date : 2025-02-02 21:07:00

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