In the 32nd game of Alex Jensen's debut season as head coach of the Runnin’ Utes, Utah found themselves in familiar territory. Despite their efforts, a prolonged cold streak in the first half spelled trouble, leading to a 73-66 loss to Cincinnati in the first round of the Big 12 tournament at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
Utah (10-22) struggled through an 11-minute stretch where they hit just 2 of 21 shots, a pivotal factor in their defeat. Even with a stronger offensive showing in the second half, the Utes couldn't quite close the gap in the final moments.
Coach Jensen acknowledged the fight in his team, praising their resilience against a well-prepared Cincinnati squad. “Happy our guys fought and came back,” Jensen remarked, giving credit to Bearcats coach Wes Miller for his strategic adjustments.
Cincinnati (18-14), who also faced offensive challenges early on, capitalized on a 12-0 run fueled by defensive pressure and rebounding prowess. This surge turned a 20-17 deficit into a 29-20 halftime advantage, a lead they never relinquished.
Despite trailing by as much as 15 in the second half, Utah showed grit. Terrence Brown, the team’s leading scorer, spearheaded a rally that brought the Utes within four points on two occasions in the final minute, though they ultimately couldn’t get any closer.
Early in the game, it seemed Utah might deliver a significant blow to Cincinnati’s NCAA Tournament hopes, jumping to a 15-6 lead. However, the final 11 minutes of the first half saw Utah outscored 23-5, including a decisive 12-0 Cincinnati run.
“Our best offense is when our defense leads the offense,” Miller explained, highlighting the Bearcats’ ability to convert defensive stops into scoring opportunities.
Utah’s shooting woes were evident with a season-low 19.4% from the field in the first half and just 20 points at the break. Brown and Don McHenry, the Utes’ top scorers, struggled to find their rhythm, combining for 1 of 13 shooting before halftime.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, found their stride, shooting 38.7% in the first half and finishing strong with a 6-of-8 run to close it out.
The second half saw an offensive explosion from both teams, with Utah shooting 54.8% and Cincinnati 51.7%. Jensen noted the difference, saying, “I think we simplified it, and I think guys were aggressive… trying to score off our defense in transition.”
The game remained competitive until the final moments, with Cincinnati’s free-throw struggles keeping the door slightly ajar for Utah. However, the Bearcats managed to seal the win with clutch free throws in the closing seconds.
Brown was a standout for Utah, tallying 22 points, six assists, two rebounds, and two steals with just one turnover. His 15 second-half points were instrumental in keeping the Utes within striking distance.
“I don’t want to be done,” Brown expressed, reflecting on his determination to keep fighting. His efforts were supported by Seydou Traore and Keanu Dawes, who also scored in double figures in the second half.
Dawes, who finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds, noted the team’s increased intensity after halftime. “You come into every game not wanting to lose, but whenever you go into halftime down, you come out with more energy and more attentive to the little things,” he said.
Cincinnati's Jalen Celestine led with 19 points, including a crucial late-game three-pointer. Moustapha Thiam and Baba Miller both recorded double-doubles, contributing significantly to the Bearcats’ victory.
As Utah looks to the future, Jensen and his staff are preparing for their second year, with the transfer portal opening soon. The team will face changes, but the focus remains on building and improving.
“It’s always hard when it comes to an end,” Jensen reflected. “We’ll meet as a team and then individually with each one of them and then go from there.”