Bearcats Stun No. 2 Iowa State Behind Day Day Thomas’ Big Night
Cincinnati came into Saturday’s matchup with No. 2 Iowa State looking for a spark - and they found it in Day Day Thomas. The junior guard poured in 19 points and led a gritty Bearcats squad to a statement 79-70 win over the previously unbeaten Cyclones, handing them their second straight loss after a 16-0 start.
This was the kind of performance that can flip a season’s trajectory.
Cincinnati, now 10-8 overall and 2-3 in Big 12 play, looked like a team with something to prove. After opening conference play with three straight losses, they’ve now strung together back-to-back wins - and this one came against a team that had been steamrolling opponents for most of the season.
Setting the Tone Early
From the jump, Cincinnati played with urgency. Jalen Celestine caught fire early, knocking down three straight threes to give the Bearcats a quick 16-8 lead.
Then Thomas added to the momentum with a triple of his own to push the lead to 19-8. By halftime, Cincinnati had hit six shots from beyond the arc and built a 35-24 advantage - a lead that felt even bigger considering how well they were defending.
It wasn’t just shot-making. The Bearcats were active, aggressive, and disruptive on the defensive end. They forced 12 Iowa State turnovers and turned them into 20 points - a major swing in a game where every possession mattered.
Iowa State’s Star Shines, But Not Enough
Milan Momcilovic did everything he could to keep Iowa State in it. The sophomore forward exploded for a career-high 34 points, including eight made threes - a shooting display that kept the Cyclones from falling completely out of it. But outside of Momcilovic, the rest of the Cyclones struggled to find rhythm, especially from deep.
Iowa State came into the game as the top three-point shooting team in the country, but they missed six of their first seven attempts and finished 9-of-21 overall. Take away Momcilovic’s eight makes, and the rest of the team combined to go just 1-of-13 from long range.
That’s not a recipe for winning on the road in the Big 12 - especially against a team playing with its back against the wall.
Second-Half Surges and Responses
After trailing by 11 late in the first half, Iowa State made a push. Momcilovic’s first three of the night sparked a late-half run that cut the deficit to 35-31 at the break. Then, early in the second half, Joshua Jefferson’s layup tied things at 38.
But every time Iowa State made a move, Cincinnati had an answer.
The Bearcats responded to that tie with an 11-0 run, capped by more shot-making from Thomas, who hit a three and a smooth mid-range jumper to push the lead back to double digits. His third three of the night extended the lead to 67-50.
Iowa State wasn’t done, though. The Cyclones mounted a 14-2 run, with Momcilovic again leading the charge, cutting the deficit to 69-64 with just under five minutes to play.
But Cincinnati didn’t blink. They tightened up defensively, made timely shots, and closed it out - a sign of a team that’s learning how to win tough games.
A Turning Point for Cincinnati?
This wasn’t just a quality win - it was Cincinnati’s first Quad 1 victory of the season after going 0-6 in those opportunities coming in. And it came in front of a home crowd that had been restless. Head coach Wes Miller even heard boos during pregame introductions, but his team responded with its most complete performance of the year.
Jizzle James added 15 points, while Sencire Harris and Jalen Celestine each chipped in 12. Moustapha Thiam’s three-pointer in the first half was another key moment, helping the Bearcats keep momentum when Iowa State was trying to claw back.
It was a total team effort - and it came against one of the best teams in the country.
What’s Next
For Cincinnati, things don’t get any easier. They’ll head west to face top-ranked Arizona on Wednesday in what could be another major proving ground. But after Saturday’s win, they’ll go into that matchup with confidence - and maybe a little bit of swagger.
As for Iowa State, it’s back to the drawing board. After a red-hot start, the Cyclones have now dropped two straight and will be looking to regroup before this minor skid turns into something bigger.
They’ve got the talent, and Momcilovic’s breakout night was a bright spot. But they’ll need more balance - and fewer turnovers - if they want to stay near the top of the Big 12.
For now, though, it’s Cincinnati’s moment. And they earned it.