Baba Miller’s Monster Night Powers Cincinnati Past Lipscomb in Non-Conference Finale
CINCINNATI - If you’re looking for a statement performance to close out non-conference play, Baba Miller just delivered it in bold print. The senior forward turned in a dominant, do-it-all effort Monday night, racking up 11 points, 21 rebounds, and seven assists to lead Cincinnati to an emphatic 89-62 win over Lipscomb at Fifth Third Arena.
Let’s start with the boards - because 21 rebounds in a college game is no small feat. That’s the most by a Bearcat since Tre Scott pulled down the same number back in February 2020.
And for context within the Big 12? Miller’s performance marks the first 20-rebound game in the conference this season.
He didn’t just clean the glass - he owned it.
But this wasn’t a one-man show. Cincinnati flexed its depth with four players in double figures, led by sophomore center Moustapha Thiam, who poured in a team-high 18 points.
Thiam was nearly unstoppable in the second half, scoring 16 of those after the break and shooting a red-hot 8-of-10 from the field. He gave the Bearcats a steady interior presence all night long.
Junior guard Jizzle James brought his usual energy and efficiency, matching his season high with 16 points and dishing out a season-best five assists. He was in control, picking his spots and keeping the offense humming.
And then there was Kerr Kriisa - the graduate guard making his first appearance off the bench this season - who lit it up from deep, knocking down five of his eight three-point attempts for 15 points. That kind of instant offense is a luxury most teams dream of having off the pine.
It didn’t start pretty for Cincinnati. Lipscomb jumped out to a 7-1 lead as the Bearcats missed their first five shots.
But once the lid came off the rim, it didn’t take long for the momentum to swing. The Bearcats responded with a 17-5 run, fueled by three triples from Kriisa, to take an 18-12 lead midway through the first half - and they never looked back.
From that point on, Cincinnati controlled every facet of the game. They won the rebounding battle 45-31, dominated in transition with a 17-4 edge in fast-break points, and turned Lipscomb’s mistakes into 19 points off turnovers. Inside the arc, it was a mismatch: 46-20 in points in the paint, Bearcats.
Miller set the tone early, grabbing 13 rebounds and handing out all seven of his assists in the first half alone. He was everywhere - contesting shots, pushing the ball, finding teammates, and even adding a block and a steal to his stat line. Cincinnati took a 44-24 lead into the locker room, thanks in part to red-hot perimeter shooting (8-of-16 from deep) and a defense that held Lipscomb to just 28.6% from three.
The second half opened with more of the same. Cincinnati came out of the break on a 6-0 run in less than a minute, capped by a coast-to-coast finish from Sencire Harris and an offensive putback from Miller. That made it 50-24, and the Bearcats never let up.
With just over eight minutes to play, Miller threw down a dunk and James followed it up with a layup to stretch the lead to 80-52. A late 4-0 burst with three minutes remaining put the final stamp on a 27-point win that sends Cincinnati into Big 12 play riding high.
This was more than just a win - it was a complete performance that showcased the Bearcats’ depth, balance, and growing chemistry. And with Miller anchoring the frontcourt like that, Cincinnati looks like a team that’s ready to make some noise in conference play.