Recap: Cincinnati 77 Colorado 68
Cincinnati delivered its most complete performance in weeks Tuesday night, riding a dominant first half and timely shot-making late to a 77–68 win over Colorado, a result that rewarded the Bearcats’ persistence after a stretch of narrow losses.
The Bearcats set the tone immediately, scoring the game’s first 10 points and never looked back. Moustapha Thiam and Baba Miller attacked the paint early, exploiting Colorado’s zone defense and generating a steady stream of layups, dunks, and free throws.
(Photo: Taylor Keeton / Bearcatsportshub)
“We just attacked it,” head coach Wes Miller said. “I thought our guys executed beautifully against the zone in the first half. We were scoring at the rim, sharing the ball, flowing really well, and our defense led to a lot of great offense.”
Baba Miller was at the center of that flow. The senior forward piled up 25 points and 11 rebounds, repeatedly finishing at the rim and punishing Colorado’s interior defense. Miller scored Cincinnati’s first basket on a fast-break layup and had 15 points by halftime as the Bearcats shot efficiently and built a commanding 43–25 lead at the break.
“I just stuck to the main things,” Baba Miller said. “Playing with effort, crashing the boards, making easy plays, and playing around my teammates. They were able to find me in high-percentage looks.”
Cincinnati’s defensive pressure fueled the surge. The Bearcats forced turnovers on deflections and active hands, turning stops into transition baskets and free throws. Colorado struggled to handle the physicality and finished the night with 17 turnovers, which Cincinnati converted into 30 points.
“That speaks to our activity,” Wes Miller said. “That’s when we’re at our best defensively. We had 22 deflections at halftime, and when we do that, we can really convert in transition.”
(Photo: Taylor Keeton / Bearcatsportshub)
Colorado attempted to respond early in the second half, but Cincinnati maintained control. Baba Miller opened the half with another layup and dunk, and Day Day Thomas added a jumper to push the lead to 21 points, Cincinnati’s largest advantage of the night.
Still, the Buffaloes showed why they had erased a massive deficit in their prior game against Texas Tech. Colorado chipped away behind Isaiah Johnson and Bangot Dak, trimming the lead to seven midway through the half and then to five with just under six minutes remaining.
“I told the guys at halftime they weren’t going to go away,” Wes Miller said. “They just erased a 24-point deficit against Texas Tech. I didn’t think we were as good in the second half, but I really liked how we found a way to close the game out.”
With the margin shrinking and momentum shifting, Day Day Thomas delivered a crucial response. He knocked down a three-pointer with 5:20 left, then followed with a tough jumper in the paint to spark a decisive 5–0 run that restored a double-digit lead.
(Photo: Taylor Keeton / Bearcatsportshub)
“Just my teammates making plays and still being aggressive,” Thomas said. “Playing together, moving the ball, and taking the best shot for the team.”
Cincinnati sealed the game at the free-throw line, continuing to attack downhill as Colorado was forced to foul. The Bearcats attempted 35 free throws, repeatedly converting late to keep the Buffaloes from completing another comeback.
Colorado head coach Tad Boyle credited Cincinnati’s toughness and physicality for the outcome, particularly in the opening half.
“Cincinnati was the tougher team tonight, and that was evident from the jump,” Boyle said. “We lost this game in the first half. Their pressure, their hands on the ball — that was the game. Their defense won the game.”
Boyle also pointed to Cincinnati’s success at the rim against the zone.
“They made three threes and just killed us at the rim,” he said. “Nine layups. You should never give up a layup. If you don’t play with sound principles and effort, it doesn’t matter what defense you’re in.”
(Photo: Taylor Keeton / Bearcatsportshub)
For Cincinnati, the win represented more than just a conference result. After weeks of frustration, it validated the process the Bearcats have continued to trust.
“I’m happy for our players,” Wes Miller said. “They’ve been crazy resilient. They’ve stayed together, stayed resilient, and tonight they got to experience a positive result. If they keep doing the right things every day, more results will come.”
The Bearcats will look to build on the performance moving forward, carrying confidence from a night when their defense, interior scoring, and late-game composure finally aligned.
Key Takeaways
-Cincinnati’s Fast Start and Interior Dominance Carried the Night
Cincinnati effectively won the game in the opening 20 minutes, building an 18-point halftime lead (43–25) and never allowing Colorado to get closer than four points. The Bearcats scored 28 points in the paint and 24 fast-break points, a massive edge over Colorado’s 2 fast-break points.
Individually, Baba Miller (25 points, 11 rebounds) and Moustapha Thiam (15 points on 6-of-8 shooting) consistently punished Colorado inside. The duo repeatedly dictated the game’s physicality.
(Photo: Taylor Keeton / Bearcatsportshub)
-Turnovers Were the Deciding Statistical Category
Colorado committed 17 turnovers, which Cincinnati converted into 30 points off turnovers, compared to just 18 for the Buffaloes. That disparity allowed the Bearcats to maintain control even as their shooting cooled late.
From a player standpoint, Cincinnati’s starters were composed with the ball—only 10 team turnovers overall—while Colorado guards Isaiah Johnson and Bangot Dak combined for 8 turnovers despite their offensive production.
- Baba Miller’s All-Around Performance Set the Standard
Miller’s stat line—25 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 10-of-17 shooting—highlighted his impact at both ends. He scored in transition, finished through contact, and knocked down mid-range jumpers while also leading the team in rebounding.
His impact was evident, as the Bearcats’ biggest runs coincided with his time on the floor. Miller also closed the game at the free-throw line, going 5-of-9 and making key late attempts.
- Free Throws Saved Cincinnati During the Late Scoring Drought
Cincinnati did not make a field goal over the final 4:03, yet still closed out the win by hitting 24-of-35 free throws (68.6%). Over the final 90 seconds alone, the Bearcats went 9-for-11 at the line.
Jizzle James (6 points, 4-of-4 FT), Day Day Thomas (9 points, 2-of-2 FT), Sencire Harris, and Miller all contributed late free throws that kept Colorado from completing its comeback.
(Photo: Taylor Keeton / Bearcatsportshub)
- Colorado’s Bench Spark Wasn’t Enough to Overcome the Deficit
Colorado’s bench outscored Cincinnati’s 35–13, with Isaiah Johnson (18 points) leading the charge and providing steady production.
However, Colorado’s inability to generate early offense and the lack of a true defensive answer for Miller outweighed the bench advantage. Despite shooting 35% from three (7-of-20) and 44.6% overall, the Buffaloes never led and spent the entire game playing from behind.
Final Thoughts:
Wednesday night felt like a turning point for Cincinnati. After weeks of narrow losses and growing frustration, the Bearcats finally put together a complete performance—dictating the game with defensive pressure, controlling the paint, and showing composure when momentum began to swing. Despite still being 9-8 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 play, the win briefly validates the process Wes Miller has emphasized and rewarded a group that has continued to stay connected through adversity.
That matters even more with Iowa State coming to Fifth Third Arena on Saturday. The Cyclones are among the most physical and disciplined teams in the country, and Cincinnati will need the same defensive activity, interior presence, and toughness it showed Wednesday to compete. Baba Miller’s assertiveness, the Bearcats’ ability to force turnovers, and their willingness to attack downhill provide a clear blueprint moving forward. While consistency remains the challenge, this win offers tangible momentum—and a reminder that when Cincinnati plays to its identity, it can be dangerous in Big 12 play.
Postgame Video: Wes Miller, Baba Miller, Day Day Thomas
Postgame Video: Colorado Head Coach Tad Boyle
Game Highlights