Houston Locks Down Cincinnati in Statement Defensive Win
From the opening tip to the final buzzer, Houston brought the kind of defensive intensity that doesn’t just win games - it sends messages. The Cougars smothered Cincinnati in a dominant performance that only got more lopsided after Bearcats big man Moustapha Thiam exited late in the first half with an ankle injury. Once he went down, Cincinnati’s offense unraveled.
Turnovers piled up like missed opportunities. Cincinnati coughed up the ball 18 times - their highest total since a rough outing against Tarleton State - and the second half felt like a highlight reel for Houston’s defensive pressure. Possession after possession ended in frustration for the Bearcats, who never found a rhythm.
Backcourt Struggles Continue for Cincinnati
Day Day Thomas and Jizzle James - two players Cincinnati has leaned on in big moments - just couldn’t get going. Thomas finished with six turnovers and just six points, while James added three giveaways of his own.
Kayshuan Tillery chipped in four turnovers as well. The Bearcats managed to get up only 47 shots, their lowest total since an early-season game against Dayton, and hit just 18 of them.
The road hasn’t been kind to Thomas and James lately. Over their last three games away from home, they’ve combined for just 23 points.
Neither has made more than three field goals in any of those matchups, and together they’re shooting 10-of-42 - a tough 23 percent clip. It’s a troubling trend for a team that’s shown flashes of potential but hasn’t been able to sustain momentum over multiple games.
Baba Miller Goes Quiet
Cincinnati's most consistent performer in recent weeks, Baba Miller, was held in check in a big way. Scoreless in the first half, he ended the night with just two points on 1-for-8 shooting.
It was a sharp contrast from his 18-point, 17-rebound effort against Baylor just days earlier. Against Houston, Miller never found his footing - a microcosm of Cincinnati’s broader struggles.
Injury Woes Mount for the Bearcats
Thiam’s injury was the latest blow in what’s become a season-long battle with the injury bug for Cincinnati. The 7-footer twisted his ankle after getting tangled up with Kalifa Sakho, hopping off the court without putting any weight on his right foot. He returned to the bench in the second half wearing a boot, officially ruled out for the rest of the game.
It’s a tough break for a team already dealing with a long list of unavailable or limited players. Thiam joins Shon Abaev and Sencire Harris on the injury list, while Jalen Haynes remains out due to a preseason injury. Only Tillery, Dzellat, Thomas and James have managed to stay upright all season - and even they haven’t been at full strength every night.
Houston’s Depth Shines
Cincinnati came in with a clear focus: limit Kingston Flemings. And to their credit, they did - Flemings was held to just seven points on 1-for-9 shooting.
But Houston didn’t flinch. Instead, their supporting cast delivered in a big way.
Chris Cenac came out firing, scoring all 13 of his points in the first half to help Houston build early momentum. Milos Uzan added 16, while Emanuel Sharp and Isiah Harwell each chipped in 13. Sharp, who had been quiet in the last meeting between these teams, looked much more comfortable this time around.
Houston didn’t just win this game - they controlled it. Offensively, they shared the ball and found open looks.
Defensively, they clamped down and forced mistake after mistake. For Cincinnati, it was a sobering afternoon.
For Houston, it was another reminder of just how dangerous this team can be when everyone is locked in.