Kansas faced a tough challenge against Cincinnati on Saturday, ultimately falling 84-68. Let’s dive into the game’s key moments and how it all unfolded.
Starting Lineup
Kansas hit the court with guards Darryn Peterson and Melvin Council Jr., forwards Tre White and Bryson Tiller, and Flory Bidunga anchoring the frontcourt.
First Half
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The game kicked off with both teams trading early blows. Peterson got Kansas on the scoreboard with a couple of smooth mid-range jumpers.
KU focused on attacking the paint, with Bidunga finishing two alley-oops. Cincinnati countered with an early three-pointer from Jizzle James but primarily looked to penetrate the lane, going 2-5 inside the arc.
The score was knotted at 8.
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Neither squad could gain a significant edge. Kansas excelled on the offensive boards, snagging four rebounds that translated into seven crucial points.
Cincinnati found another three-pointer but struggled, shooting 5 for 16 from the field. Kansas held a slight 15-13 advantage.
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Cincinnati’s Baba Miller was a thorn in Kansas’ side, pouring in 12 of his team’s 24 points. Kansas responded with a three from White and two baskets from Bidunga, who reached double figures.
The lead changed hands several times as both teams exchanged punches. The score remained tight at 24-24.
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Both teams found their rhythm, shooting over 70% combined for a brief period. While Cincinnati cooled off, Kansas kept firing, hitting six of their last eight shots.
Peterson continued his aggressive play, adding four more points. Kansas stretched their lead to four, their largest of the game, at 32-28.
Halftime
Cincinnati finished the half strong, erasing Kansas’ lead with an 8-2 run to head into the break up 36-34.
Second Half
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The second half began with a seesaw battle. Kansas briefly took a one-point lead, but Cincinnati quickly responded with consecutive scores to reclaim the advantage, 43-40.
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The teams continued to trade baskets, but Kansas’ defense tightened, limiting Cincinnati to one of eight shooting during a three-minute scoreless stretch. However, Kansas couldn’t capitalize offensively, managing only to tie the game at 49.
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Cincinnati ended their scoring drought with a vengeance. Thomas hit a three, followed by Thiam’s basket and another three-pointer, prompting a timeout from Kansas’ Bill Self. The Jayhawks found themselves down by five, 61-58, despite a three from Peterson and some inside scoring.
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As the game neared its conclusion, Cincinnati began to pull away. Kansas hit an offensive slump while the Bearcats surged ahead with a 12-2 run, extending their lead to 73-60.
Final
Cincinnati closed the game with authority, building an 18-point lead thanks to a 7-2 run. Kansas couldn’t muster a comeback, ultimately falling 84-68 at home.
This matchup showcased Cincinnati’s resilience and ability to capitalize on key moments, while Kansas will look to regroup and bounce back in their next outing.