Bearcats Catch Fire from Deep, Blitz Kansas State in Statement Road Win
MANHATTAN, Kan. - When Cincinnati shoots like this, good luck keeping up.
The Bearcats put on an absolute clinic from beyond the arc Wednesday night, drilling a season-high 16 threes on a scorching 57.1% clip in a 91-62 dismantling of Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum. From the opening tip, it was clear Cincinnati came in locked, loaded, and ready to make a statement - and they delivered one of their most complete performances of the season.
No Lead Changes, No Doubt
This one was never in question. Cincinnati seized control early and never let it go.
The Bearcats opened the game hitting four of their first six shots from deep - with Jalen Celestine, Baba Miller, and Jizzle James all getting in on the early barrage. By the 14:24 mark of the first half, they were already up 17-7.
Then came the knockout punch: a 10-0 run capped by a smooth Celestine pull-up jumper stretched the lead to 32-11, and Kansas State never recovered.
By halftime, Cincinnati had built a 53-31 lead - their highest-scoring half of the season - fueled by 64.3% shooting from three (9-of-14) and 57.1% overall from the field. The Bearcats weren’t just hot - they were surgical.
Jizzle James Takes Over
Junior guard Jizzle James led the charge with a season-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including a blistering 6-of-8 from deep. He played with confidence and rhythm, punishing Kansas State every time they gave him an inch of space. Whether it was spotting up or pulling up off the dribble, James had the hot hand and knew exactly what to do with it.
Baba Miller: The Do-It-All Anchor
Senior forward Baba Miller continues to be the heartbeat of this Cincinnati squad. He posted his 11th double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 boards, but his impact went well beyond the box score.
Miller added six assists, tied a career high with four blocks, and was everywhere defensively. His versatility - protecting the rim, facilitating offense, and stretching the floor - gives Cincinnati a dynamic edge that few teams can match.
Celestine, Harris, and Thomas Step Up
Celestine had one of his best games of the season, finishing with 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from deep. He was aggressive, confident, and disruptive on defense with three steals.
Junior Sencire Harris matched his season high with 12 points, giving the Bearcats another steady contributor on both ends. And graduate guard Day Day Thomas quietly orchestrated the offense with a season-best seven assists while chipping in 10 points of his own.
It was a balanced, unselfish effort - five Bearcats in double figures, crisp ball movement, and relentless energy from start to finish.
Kansas State Struggles to Keep Pace
For Kansas State, it was a tough night from the jump. The Wildcats never led and couldn’t find an answer defensively as Cincinnati picked them apart from the perimeter.
PJ Haggerty did his best to keep K-State afloat with a game-high 24 points, including 11 in the first half, but he didn’t get much help. The Wildcats shot just 24% from three (6-of-25) and 40% overall - not nearly enough to hang with a Cincinnati team firing on all cylinders.
Second Half, Same Story
If Kansas State hoped for a reset after halftime, Cincinnati had other plans. The Bearcats opened the second half with a 12-2 run, capped by a highlight-reel behind-the-back dish from Thomas to Halvine Dzellat for a two-handed slam. That pushed the lead to 65-37 and effectively slammed the door.
Later, James hit another three to ignite a 9-3 spurt that ballooned the lead to 88-57 with just over four minutes left. A triple from Jordi Rodriguez put the finishing touch on the night, marking Cincinnati’s largest lead of the game at 32 points.
Bottom Line
This was Cincinnati at its best - efficient, unselfish, and relentless. The Bearcats shot 50% from the field, 57% from deep, and controlled the game from wire to wire. With James leading the scoring, Miller doing a little bit of everything, and key contributions across the board, this group looked every bit the part of a team hitting its stride at the right time.
If they can bottle this kind of performance, Cincinnati won’t just be a tough out - they’ll be a problem for anyone standing in their way.