LAS VEGAS – The Cincinnati Bearcats version of “Vegas Vacation” will not continue as Wes Miller’s men lost to a feisty, undermanned UCF Knights team 88-80 Thursday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Senior Darius Johnson led all scorers with 31 points, hitting five treys. UCF had four players in double figures and made 10 3-pointers on the night. Though there were 14 lead changes, UCF led the game for over 32 minutes with UC’s brief leads last not quite two-and-a-half minutes.
UC also had four guys in double figures led by Day Day Thomas with 19 points. Dillon Mitchell added 17, Simas Lukošius 11 and Jizzle James had 10.
The Bearcats made 12-of-34 triples and outrebounded the Knights 42-38 but it wasn’t enough. It was the first time all season they reached 80 points and didn’t win. The previous 11 times were victories.
UCF Knights overcome odds
Wearing the Cincy “Black Cat” uniforms, UC faced an extremely determined, but short-handed UCF team that had eight players in the transfer portal, including two who played (Tyler Hendricks and Nils Machowski). Keyshawn Hall, their top scorer at 18.8 points per game, committed to top-ranked Auburn Wednesday. UC came in favored by 6.5 points, but UCF had news for the Vegas oddsmakers.
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Both teams are now 19-16 with UC’s season over. A win would have given the Bearcats a 42nd 20-win season and it would have been the third at UC for Wes Miller. Instead, the Bearcats finish out of the Vivid Seats NIL money. UCF is now guaranteed $50,000 for making the semifinals. The College Basketball Crown champion splits $300,000 with the runner-up getting $100,000.
Takeaways from Cincinnati Bearcats loss to UCF Knights in College Basketball Crown
Unusual statistics for Cincinnati Bearcats
It was an atypical night for UC in several ways. It was the first game where they scored 80 points and lost, making them 11-1 on the season. They also finish 1-4 in games where they allow 80 or more points. The one win came against UCF in Orlando in February.
Their last lead came on a Thomas 3-pointer with 4:54 to go, making it 70-69. From there, UCF went on a 10-0 run before Lukošius hit a triple. Previously, UC was 18-0 when holding a lead with 5:00 left. The triple by Thomas came six seconds after that mark, but like most of their leads on the night it was short-lived.
A dozen 3-balls not enough for UC Bearcats
UCF connected on 10 treys for the second straight game, but UC knocked down 12-of-34. As that didn’t get it done, they finish 13-4 when depositing eight or more 3-pointers in the cylinder.
Birthday revenge for UCF’s Johnson
Darius Johnson wasn’t pleased with UCF’s 93-83 loss to the Bearcats on Feb. 5 as it spoiled his birthday. Thursday, Johnson could do little wrong making 11-of-23 shots, including five treys for a game-high 31 points.
Which UC Bearcats will stay/leave?
With an odd tournament scheduled the week the transfer portal opened, UC was able to circle the wagons and bring their team to Las Vegas. After a 1-1 performance, their could be laundry changes.
Read into it what you want, but Tyler Betsey played five minutes in two games and Arrinten Page didn’t see the floor.
Next up for UC, UCF?
The Bearcats season is over and now team administration will be knee-deep in the transfer portal. It shouldn’t be surprising to see announcements from current Bearcats soon on social media.
UCF advances to the semifinals against the Villanova/USC winner which was to be played after the Knights/Bearcats tilt.
UC women’s basketball adds transfer
Cincinnati Bearcats women’s coach Katrina Merriweather has added 5-foot-11 guard Mya Perry from Florida Atlantic where she led the Owls in scoring at 15.5 points per game.
“Mya has proven to be one of the best three-point shooters in the country. As we continue to build our program, she is a critical piece for next season.
Perry is from Reynoldsburg, near Columbus, and started her career at Ohio State.
“Being a Bearcat has always been a dream,” Perry said. “It was my first offer and now it’s come full circle.”
