Cincinnati defeated No. 2 Iowa State 79-70 on Saturday, marking the Bearcats’ first victory over a top-10 opponent since 2012. The win comes after Iowa State began the season with 16 consecutive victories before suffering back-to-back losses.
Bearcats Overcome Early Deficit
Day Day Thomas led Cincinnati with 19 points, while Milan Momcilovic scored a career-high 34 points for Iowa State, including eight 3-pointers. Despite Momcilovic’s performance, the Cyclones struggled with turnovers, committing 12 that resulted in 20 points for Cincinnati. The Bearcats built an early lead, fueled by three consecutive 3-pointers from Jalen Celestine.
Cincinnati’s strong start continued into the first half, where they made six 3-pointers, including one by Moustapha Thiam to establish a 35-24 lead. Iowa State, typically a strong 3-point shooting team, initially struggled from beyond the arc, making only one of their first seven attempts.
Cyclones’ Late Rally Falls Short
Iowa State attempted a comeback in both halves. Momcilovic’s 3-pointer late in the first half narrowed Cincinnati’s lead to 35-31 at halftime. Early in the second half, Joshua Jefferson’s layup tied the game at 38, but Cincinnati responded with an 11-0 run. Iowa State later mounted a 14-2 run, with Momcilovic scoring nine points to bring the score to 69-64 with 4:38 remaining. However, Cincinnati maintained control and secured the win.
Jizzle James added 15 points for Cincinnati, while Sencire Harris and Jalen Celestine each contributed 12. Cincinnati’s record now stands at 10-8 overall and 2-3 in conference play, having won two straight after a 0-3 start. Iowa State’s record is 16-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was Cincinnati 79, Iowa State 70.
Who led Cincinnati in scoring?
Day Day Thomas led Cincinnati with 19 points.
How many 3-pointers did Milan Momcilovic make?
Milan Momcilovic made eight 3-pointers and scored a career-high 34 points for Iowa State.
With Iowa State now facing consecutive losses, how might this impact their standing in the Big 12 conference and their overall tournament prospects?