Recap: UCF 73 Cincinnati 72
Another night where the margin was razor thin, and the result went the wrong way for Cincinnati. The Bearcats executed late and briefly grabbed the lead, but a potential game-winner never fell, as Jalen Celestine’s step-back three rimmed out at the buzzer. Cincinnati dropped a heartbreaking 73–72 decision at UCF, falling to 0–3 in Big 12 play and 8–8 overall in a game that featured nine ties, nine lead changes, and a final possession that decided the outcome.
(Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo)
Game Recap
Cincinnati opened the game sharply, building an 8-2 lead behind early baskets from Baba Miller, Sencire Harris, and Day Day Thomas in transition. Moustapha Thiam established himself immediately inside, throwing down a dunk at the 17:24 mark to give the Bearcats their largest lead of the night at 12–5.
UCF responded with a balanced attack, using three-point shooting from Jordan Burks and Chris Johnson to chip away. A 9–0 Knights run midway through the half flipped the game, as Riley Kugel and Jamichael Stillwell repeatedly attacked the paint. UCF briefly pushed its lead to seven (21–14), but Cincinnati steadied itself behind Thiam and Jizzle James.
Thiam scored from all three levels late in the half, including a three-pointer with 2:48 remaining, and Cincinnati closed strong. Thiam’s layup with 50 seconds left pulled the Bearcats within one, as UCF carried a slim 33–32 advantage into halftime.
The second half mirrored the first—physical, efficient offense inside, and constant lead changes. Thiam continued his outstanding night, scoring 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including an and-one that briefly put Cincinnati back in front at 53–51.
“I thought he carved out position on the interior first and foremost, and that's an area that he's really growing as he matures,” head coach Wes Miller said. “As his body's maturing, he's becoming more of a force around the basket.”
Baba Miller delivered some of Cincinnati’s most important moments with back-to-back fast-break finishes at the 14-minute mark. Miller ended the game with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. His energy helped Cincinnati reclaim momentum after UCF guard Riley Kugel buried a key three to tie the game at 47.
UCF, however, consistently answered. Kugel (19 points on 7-of-10 shooting) and Stillwell (15 points) punished Cincinnati inside, while Johnson and Burks stretched the floor just enough to keep the Bearcats’ defense honest. Foumena added a strong interior presence with 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
“The depth of UCF is significant,” Miller said. “They got guys that don't start that are like starters and so I don't think of it as bench points. I mean they have a lot of depth and a lot of older guys.”
Down 71–66 with just over three minutes to play, Cincinnati leaned heavily on Thiam, who scored six points in the final 2:46. His pair of free throws at the 1:30 mark pulled the Bearcats within one, and Miller’s tough layup in the paint with 30 seconds left gave Cincinnati a 72–71 lead—their first advantage since early in the half.
UCF used a timeout to set up the final possession. which resulted in Themus Fulks knocking down a short jumper in the lane with 13 seconds remaining to put the Knights back on top, 73–72.
Following the timeout, Jizzle James penetrated into traffic and found Jalen Celestine on the perimeter. Celestine rose for a step-back three as time expired, but the shot rattled out, ending the game in a one-point loss.
“I thought JC—Jalen Celestine—I thought it was in,” Miller said. “I thought when it left his hands I said, ‘there we go.’”
Key Takeaways
Moustapha Thiam
Thiam was the best player on the floor for Cincinnati, posting 24 points on elite efficiency (10-of-15 FG) and scoring in every situation—post-ups, face-ups, transition, and free throws. When the offense stagnated, he was the stabilizer. Cincinnati’s late-game comeback does not happen without him, and his continued emergence gives the Bearcats a reliable interior identity. Would have liked to see him get the ball and something be drawn up for him on the final possession.
“I’m glad he had a good night,” Miller said. “I know in a lot of ways that was emotional because he really loved being here and he loved the relationships that he had here.”
Interior physicality traveled—but perimeter shooting did not
Cincinnati did a lot of winning things on the road: +6 on the offensive glass, +10 in points off turnovers, and 42 points in the paint. Those numbers usually translate to road wins. However, the 3-of-19 shooting from three (16%) erased that advantage. Even average perimeter shooting likely flips the result.
“We finally scored around the basket a little bit,” Miller said. “We got some really nice looks from three that didn't go… It won't—one night it'll all come together.”
Baba Miller’s versatility remains critical
Miller’s stat line (13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) undersells his impact. His transition finishes, defensive activity, and late go-ahead basket were momentum-changing plays. When Miller plays decisively and aggressively, Cincinnati’s ceiling rises noticeably.
Late-game execution was good—just not enough
Cincinnati executed well down the stretch offensively: cutting a five-point deficit in the final three minutes, getting to the line, and scoring the go-ahead basket with 30 seconds left. The final defensive possession, however, broke down just enough to allow Fulks a clean look in the paint. The process was solid; the margin for error wasn’t.
“Nobody lost the game,” Miller said. “I thought both teams made plays to win the game tonight.”
Free throws and missed chances loom large in a one-point loss
Cincinnati left points at the line (5-of-8), and in a one-point road loss, every missed free throw magnifies. Combined with several missed open perimeter looks earlier in the game, the Bearcats had enough opportunities to avoid needing a last-second shot.
Defensive activity was strong, but UCF’s efficiency was elite
Forcing 14 turnovers and holding UCF to just four offensive rebounds reflects strong defensive effort. Still, UCF’s 58% shooting and 43% from three neutralized that pressure. When teams move the ball as well as UCF did (20 assists), even good defense can be stressed.
Final Thoughts:
This was a loss that hurts—but also one that reinforces what works. The Bearcats were tough, connected, and competitive on the road, with clear identity strengths inside and on the glass. The difference came down to shot-making and execution on a single possession. Clean up the perimeter shooting and free throws, and this is the kind of performance that turns into a win more often than not.
“I’m heartbroken for our players,” Miller said. “They’re improving. They’re attacking the things that are kind of keeping us from getting over the hump… I thought we were really close tonight again.”
The Bearcats have found something inside with Moustapha Thiam, whose continued emergence gives them a dependable offensive anchor they can lean on late in games. That identity, paired with Baba Miller’s versatility and activity, is a foundation worth doubling down on as conference play grinds on.
The path forward is clear and fixable. Cincinnati doesn’t need to reinvent itself; it needs to complement what already travels. Average perimeter shooting and cleaner free-throw execution turn nights like this into road wins. The defensive activity and physicality are there, the late-game composure largely is too. The next step is tightening the margins—turning good possessions into great ones and ensuring the ball finds the right hands when the game is on the line.
If the Bearcats continue to defend, rebound, and play through their interior strengths while getting more consistent production from the perimeter, this game will read less like a missed opportunity and more like a proving ground. Cincinnati is close—and now the challenge is turning “close” into consistent results.
Video: Wes Miller Post UCF
Game Highlights: