Cincinnati Basketball: Bearcats overcome Hilton Magic, defeat Iowa State
Cincinnati basketball ended Iowa State’s 37 straight home non-conference winning streak.
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If you can recall our preview from earlier this week, I said the Cincinnati Bearcats would come away with the victory if they limited the Iowa State Cyclones from the perimeter. They did just that, as they took an overtime victory in Ames, 55-54.
This game was eerily similar to the finish last season, where the Cyclones stole one on the road.
All-American Monte Morris led Iowa State with 15 points, but recorded just two assists as two starters failed to record a point. Naz Mitrou-Long and Merrill Holden were held scoreless on a combined 0-of-8.
Matt Thomas chipped in 13 points, Deonte Burton had nine points and eight rebounds and Darrell Bowie continued his charge from the bench with 11 points and seven boards. The Cyclones shot 38 percent from the field, but a horrific 24 percent from deep and 45 percent on free throws.
Cincinnati got much more balance with four starters in double-figures. Kyle Washington paced the Bearcat attack with 13 points and 10 rebounds, but spent much of the final minutes on the bench with an apparent ankle injury.
Gary Clark hit the final shot of regulation and finished with 11 points and 10 boards after being a game-time decision with ankle trouble himself. Kevin Johnson and Jacob Evans also scored 11 each. The Bearcats collectively shot 35 percent from the field (with an abysmal 14 percent from deep), but made up for it by going 8-of-10 from the charity stripe. They also won the rebounding battle 46-34.
The big stat (aside from rebounding) was how Cincinnati won despite turning the ball over 14 times and forcing just seven turnovers. That sort of differential often leads to more scoring opportunities, but Cincy’s defense held strong to take the ultimate W.
Iowa State will try and rebound with a game against struggling Omaha. They will likely stay in the top 25, but drop a spot or two.
Cincinnati scored a huge win for the American Conference and will try to keep things rolling against Bowling Green. They very well might have played their way back into the top 25 with a great road victory; they ended Iowa State’s 37-game non-conference home win streak.
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