Recap: Cincinnati 92 UCF 72
Cincinnati delivered one of its most complete performances of the season Sunday afternoon, rolling past UCF 92–72 at Fifth Third Arena behind Baba Miller's 17 points, 10, rebounds, and five assists to lead five double-figure Bearcat scorers.
(Photo: Cincinnati Athletics)
Game Recap
The Bearcats set the tone immediately and never looked back.
Cincinnati opened the game aggressively on both ends, scoring the first five points and pushing the tempo early through Moustapha Thiam and Jizzle James. Thiam got going at the rim, while James and Day Day Thomas attacked space in the midrange to help the Bearcats build a steady cushion. UCF briefly found life behind the play of RJ Kugel and Jordan Burks, tying the game at 26 midway through the first half, but that was as close as the Knights would get all afternoon.
From that point on, Cincinnati seized control.
A late first-half surge—sparked by Jalen Celestine’s back-to-back three-pointers and fueled by fast-break finishes from Thiam and Keyshuan Tillery—blew the game open. The Bearcats closed the opening half on a 14–2 run, stretching a slim edge into a commanding 40–28 lead at the break. Head coach Wes Miller pointed to that stretch as a defensive turning point.
“I thought our defensive effort for stretches in the first half was excellent,” Miller said. “I really liked the way we finished the half defensively…we had a couple great defensive segments there to finish the half and help build a lead.”
Cincinnati wasted no time asserting itself after halftime. Baba Miller scored four quick points from the free-throw line, Thiam hammered home a dunk, and Thomas drilled a three as the Bearcats opened the second half on a 9–0 run. Just two minutes in, the lead ballooned to 21, and the Knights were forced into catch-up mode for the remainder of the game.
To UCF’s credit, the Knights responded with a push. Chris Johnson and Jamichael Stillwell found success attacking the paint, while back-to-back threes from George Beale Jr. helped trim the deficit to just six points with under 10 minutes to play. The moment briefly hinted at a momentum shift, but Wes Miller said his team never tightened up.
“We had that moment there in the second half where they make a run,” Miller said. “We took some bad shots, empty possessions… but we didn’t get frustrated, we didn’t get tight. We just started defending, and our defense turned to offense and we were able to push the lead out. I thought that was a really important segment for these guys and showed a lot about their character.”
Cincinnati slammed that door shut.
James ignited a decisive 19–3 run with a transition three, Thiam dominated inside with dunks and short jumpers, and Celestine continued his flawless shooting from deep. The Bearcats consistently beat UCF down the floor, capitalized on defensive breakdowns, and rebuilt the lead to 20-plus points. Miller’s emphatic dunk in the final minute—his 1,000th career point—served as the exclamation mark on a dominant afternoon.
“I mean, it’s a good accomplishment,” Baba Miller said of the milestone. “But I feel like I’ve been in college long enough and affecting the game in a way where I’ve had a lot of good teammates throughout the way and coaches that have put me in great position. I’m just happy we were able to get a win and just try to keep stacking them.”
Cincinnati led for 38:40 of game time and never trailed, cruising to a 52-point second half and a 20-point victory.
Key Takeaways
Cincinnati’s Shooting Was the Difference
The Bearcats were scorching from the floor, shooting 59% overall and a season-high 61% from three-point range (11-for-18). Five different players knocked down a three, and Celestine was a perfect 3-for-3 from deep. That efficiency stretched UCF’s defense and opened driving lanes all game long. Miller believes the offensive rhythm is no accident.
“We have good offensive players,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a fluke by any stretch… tonight everybody looked like they were in a pretty good rhythm.”
Balanced Scoring and Interior Presence
Five Bearcats finished in double figures, led by Baba Miller’s 17 points and 10 rebounds. Thiam added 15 points and seven boards, while James chipped in 15 with three triples. Cincinnati consistently scored inside (30 paint points) while also winning the fast-break battle 15–8. Despite battling through injury, Thiam said his focus never wavered.
“I approach the game the same way I approach it every time—just come here and fight with my teammates,” Thiam said. “Once the game starts, I just compete.”
Ball Movement and Control
Cincinnati assisted on 18 of its 33 made field goals and repeatedly found the extra pass. Despite UCF forcing a few turnovers, the Bearcats dictated pace and rhythm, especially during their decisive second-half runs.
“I think the identity of this team is their resiliency,” Wes Miller said. “They’ve been so resilient regardless of the frustration or result they have or haven’t gotten.”
UCF’s Offense Never Fully Clicked
The Knights shot just 26% from three-point range and were forced to rely heavily on individual efforts. While UCF showed flashes, it struggled to sustain scoring against Cincinnati’s defensive pressure and transition attack, particularly during the Bearcats’ extended runs.
“I thought they were really good. They were very active. They did a good job," UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins said. "They have a very good basketball team. This league is so tough. It’s challenging as we all know. When you’re in this gauntlet, anything can happen from game to game. I thought they did a good job.
Momentum Swings Were One-Sided
UCF’s best run cut the lead to six, but Cincinnati immediately responded. The Bearcats’ largest run of 15–0 and ability to counter-punch defined the game and highlighted a growing composure under pressure. Baba Miller said the response came down to unity.
“I feel like we just came together as a group,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of resilient guys on the team and we were able to make plays on both ends.”
Final Thoughts
This was a statement win for Cincinnati.
Against a UCF team sitting comfortably above .500 in Big 12 play and having just beaten No. 13 Texas Tech a week ago, the Bearcats delivered a wire-to-wire performance that showcased their ceiling when shots are falling and energy is high. The combination of elite shooting, interior toughness, and unselfish play made this one of Cincinnati’s most impressive efforts of the season.
For Wes Miller, the result went beyond the scoreboard.
“I’m really proud of what these guys were able to do tonight,” he said. “That 20-point win in the Big 12—that’s something that doesn’t happen all the time.”
If the Bearcats can carry this level of efficiency, confidence, and resilience forward, Sunday’s performance may stand as a defining moment as they continue navigating the grind of Big 12 play.
Up next is a road trip to Kansas State before returning home to take on Utah. Win those two games and suddenly the outlook of your season starts to look a little more different.
Postgame video: Wes Miller, Baba Miller, Moustapha Thiam
Postgame Video: Johnny Dawkins
Game Highlights