Cincinnati Lets Double-Digit Lead Slip as West Virginia Rallies for Road Win
CINCINNATI - For about 25 minutes, Cincinnati looked like a team ready to make a statement. The Bearcats came out with energy, built a 14-point second-half lead, and had Fifth Third Arena buzzing. But in the Big 12, no lead is safe-especially against a West Virginia squad that knows how to punch back.
The Bearcats ultimately fell 59-54 on Thursday night, dropping to 11-12 overall and 3-7 in conference play. West Virginia, meanwhile, improved to 15-8 and 6-4 in the Big 12, thanks to a second-half surge that flipped the script and left Cincinnati stunned.
Let’s start with the turning point. Up 37-23 early in the second half after a smooth pull-up jumper from Day Day Thomas, Cincinnati looked in control.
But West Virginia responded with a 19-3 run that completely shifted the momentum. The Mountaineers found their rhythm offensively, locked in defensively, and started winning the hustle plays that mattered most down the stretch.
Honor Huff was the catalyst. After being held scoreless in the first half, the dynamic guard erupted for 16 points after the break, including three straight three-pointers during that pivotal run. He also dished out six assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and precision when it mattered most.
Cincinnati had its chances late. After Baba Miller knocked down two clutch free throws to cut the deficit to 50-49 with just over two minutes to go, the crowd roared back to life.
But DJ Thomas had the answer, drilling a cold-blooded three to push the lead back to four and quiet the building. A few possessions later, Jalen Celestine had a clean look from deep that could’ve tied it-but the shot rimmed out.
Jizzle James gave the Bearcats one last gasp, hitting a deep three with 40 seconds left to make it 55-52. But West Virginia closed it out from the line and on the glass, outmuscling Cincinnati in the final possessions to seal the five-point win.
James and Miller carried the offensive load for Cincinnati, combining for 33 points. James finished with 18, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, while Miller added 15 points and eight boards. Celestine, despite the missed three late, turned in a well-rounded performance with career highs in assists (6) and rebounds (10), along with eight points.
But the second half belonged to West Virginia. The Mountaineers dominated the key categories after halftime-outscoring Cincinnati 14-0 in bench points, 10-2 in the paint, and 11-2 off turnovers. They shot 50% from deep (6-of-12) and forced eight turnovers in the half, capitalizing on Cincinnati’s mistakes and making them pay.
It wasn’t just the offense that turned the tide-it was the Bearcats’ foul trouble and lack of frontcourt depth that started to show late in the first half. With starting center Moustapha Thiam sidelined due to a lower-body injury, freshman Tyler McKinley got the start but picked up two quick fouls.
Halvine Dzellat came off the bench but was whistled for four fouls before halftime. That left Cincinnati scrambling for answers inside, and West Virginia took advantage.
Even with all that, the Bearcats had built a 30-20 halftime lead, thanks in large part to a red-hot start from James, who hit his first four shots and had 10 points in the opening stretch. Miller added a late layup before the break, and Cincinnati looked poised to cruise.
But the Mountaineers had other plans. Chance Moore’s layup early in the second half sparked the comeback, and once Huff got going, there was no looking back. West Virginia took its first lead at 44-42 with just under nine minutes to go and never trailed again.
For Cincinnati, this one stings. It’s a game they controlled for long stretches, only to see it slip away in the final minutes.
The Bearcats showed flashes-James’ shot-making, Miller’s inside presence, Celestine’s all-around effort-but in the Big 12, flashes aren’t enough. You’ve got to finish.
And on Thursday night, West Virginia was the team that finished.