In Kansas City, the Big 12 men's basketball tournament kicked off with Cincinnati ousting Utah in a 73-66 showdown. Jalen Celestine led the Bearcats with 19 points, while Moustapha Thiam contributed a double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks. Baba Miler added to the effort with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, helping Cincinnati sweep the season series against the Utes.
Utah, wrapping up a challenging season, saw Keanu Dawes shine with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Seydou Traore chipped in 12 points, five rebounds, a block, and a steal. Terrence Brown was the standout for Utah, leading with 22 points and six assists, though his efforts couldn't stave off elimination.
The Bearcats' defense was key, as they made Utah's top scorer work hard for his points. Despite shooting struggles early on, Utah managed to hit 54.8% from the field in the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Cincinnati's coach, Wes Miller, acknowledged Utah's resilience. His team capitalized on a strong rebounding performance, outpacing Utah 40-37, and scored 28 points in the paint. After a rocky start, Cincinnati found their rhythm with a crucial 15-2 run to close the first half, taking a 29-20 lead into the break.
The Bearcats extended their advantage with a 7-0 run in the second half, stretching the lead to 48-33. Though Utah fought back, cutting the deficit to seven at one point, Cincinnati's consistent free-throw shooting and Thiam's second-half performance kept the Utes at bay.
As the tournament progresses, Cincinnati looks poised for an invitation to the College Basketball Crown, especially if they miss out on the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Utah faces a longer offseason, providing time for reflection and planning under coach Alex Jensen, as they aim to rebuild and come back stronger next season.