Cincinnati Bounces Back in a Big Way, Showing Grit and Growth in Win Over UCF
After what happened just three days ago - a gut-wrenching collapse against West Virginia - you couldn’t blame Bearcats fans for holding their breath when UCF trimmed a 20-point Cincinnati lead down to six with just under 10 minutes to play. The ghosts of Thursday night were still fresh, and the Knights were gaining momentum behind a flurry of threes and a switch to a zone defense that had the Bearcats searching for answers.
But this time, Cincinnati didn’t flinch.
Instead of folding, they responded - and emphatically. The Bearcats ripped off a 15-2 run after George Beale Jr.'s three brought the Knights within striking distance. They pushed the lead all the way back to 22 late in the second half, turning what looked like the start of another meltdown into a statement performance.
The difference? Execution.
Composure. And a trio of players who stepped up when it mattered most.
Jizzle James, Baba Miller, and Moustapha Thiam each scored in double figures in the second half alone, with James drilling a crucial three-pointer to halt UCF’s surge and reestablish control. It was a moment that not only swung the game but also showcased the kind of mental toughness this team has been searching for all season.
Head coach Wes Miller knew exactly what was at stake - not just the game, but the mindset of his team.
“Be positive,” Miller said postgame, reflecting on what he told his players during UCF’s run. “After what we went through on Thursday, I don't want to say fragile, but we were very careful with how we approached their psyche.”
Miller and his staff didn’t panic. They didn’t overcorrect.
They leaned into belief - belief in the work this group has put in, in the character they’ve shown behind the scenes, and in the growth they’re capable of. And when it came time to respond, the Bearcats delivered.
“They went out, put together a couple of great defensive possessions, and that turned into offense,” Miller said. “That’s how you work through difficult sequences in college basketball games. Every Big 12 team goes through tough stretches… How you handle it is what this is all about.”
And Sunday, Cincinnati handled it.
Offensively, the Bearcats looked as sharp as they have all season. They shot a blistering 59% from the field and 61% from beyond the arc, committing just 11 turnovers.
It was the first time they’d hit over 50% on both field goals and threes in the same game since last season’s win over BYU. And it marked the first time since 2022 that they knocked down 60% of their threes in a game.
That kind of efficiency didn’t come out of nowhere. It was sparked in part by Jalen Celestine, who looked the part of a true small forward for the first time this season.
He was active early, grabbing two offensive rebounds in the opening five minutes - one of which led to Cincinnati’s first bucket of the game. It was the kind of energy and presence the Bearcats have been missing.
Celestine’s journey back from injury has mirrored much of this roster’s story - talented, but rarely whole. Miller acknowledged as much, noting that Sunday was one of the first times he’s seen the team he envisioned finally start to come together.
“I think we have an unbelievable roster,” Miller said. “It’s just never been all together at any point - summer or fall. Jalen is now getting into game shape and playing minutes at his natural position.”
With Celestine rounding into form, Sincere Parker shaking off the flu and knocking down a couple of open looks, and Keyshuan Tillery providing a spark off the bench, Cincinnati finally showed what it can look like when the pieces start to fit.
And while CJ Haynes remains out for the season, the potential return of Shon Abaev could give the Bearcats an even bigger boost down the stretch.
**This was more than just a win. ** It was a response to adversity.
A reminder that this team, despite the ups and downs, still has fight. And it came in a game that easily could’ve gone the other way - one where effort and intensity could’ve dipped after Thursday’s emotional loss.
But Miller wasn’t worried about effort. He was worried about the emotional hangover - and he made sure to address it in practice leading into Sunday’s game. The players responded.
Now, the Bearcats head to Manhattan, Kansas, for a matchup with a struggling Kansas State squad. It’s the start of a stretch where Cincinnati could still stack some wins, even after the setback against West Virginia.
There’s not much left to play for in terms of standings, but sometimes that’s when a team finds its identity - when it’s just about pride, about playing for each other, and about finishing the season with something to build on.
If Sunday was any indication, the Bearcats aren’t done yet.