The Cincinnati Bearcats showcased a strong performance as they secured a 76-58 victory over Tarleton State, led by Kerr Kriisa's 20 points and Day Day Thomas' 19 points. Kriisa displayed sharp-shooting skills, going 6 of 11 from beyond the arc, while Thomas also impressed with 5 of 11 from 3-point range along with six assists. Despite committing seven turnovers, Baba Miller contributed significantly with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Shon Abaev added 10 points to the Bearcats' tally, and the team received 14 crucial points from the bench players. Cincinnati capitalized on their outside shooting, hitting 42% c15 of 36c from three-point range.
On the opposite end, Ocypher Owens led the Tarleton State team with 16 points, followed by Kaia Isaac with 13 points and Freddy Hicks with 12 points. Owens' layup at the 11:49 mark in the second half brought Tarleton State within 52-45, showing a brief resurgence for the Texans. However, Cincinnati responded emphatically, with Miller, Thomas, and Miller again extending the lead for a comfortable 76-58 victory.
The Bearcats seemed in control early in the game, establishing a 24-12 lead after a 3-pointer by Thomas. However, Tarleton State fought back strongly and closed the gap to 31-29 by halftime. Cincinnati's strong second-half performance ensured they maintained a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game, sealing the win convincingly. With this victory, the Bearcats improved their record to 6-2 for the season.
Looking ahead, Tarleton State is set to host Division III Howard Payne, while Cincinnati will face their cross-town rivals, the Xavier Musketeers, on Friday night. The annual Crosstown Shootout is eagerly anticipated by fans of both teams, with this year's matchup promising a thrilling contest. Cincinnati will aim to build on their recent success and secure a crucial win against Xavier.
Xavier, on the other hand, also claimed a victory on Monday night, defeating Saint Francis 96-74. Roddie Anderson III was the standout performer for the Musketeers, notching a team-high 28 points off the bench, including five three-pointers. Forward Tre Carroll contributed 21 points and six rebounds, while guard All Wright added 15 points to the winning effort.
The upcoming clash between the Bearcats and the Musketeers holds significant importance, with local bragging rights at stake. The Crosstown Shootout, scheduled for Friday night at the Cintas Center, is expected to draw substantial interest from fans of both teams. Cincinnati will be looking to secure their second consecutive victory in the series, aiming to maintain their winning momentum.
The game promises to be a closely contested affair, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Fans can anticipate an exciting matchup between these two local rivals as they battle for supremacy on the basketball court. Stay tuned for more updates and coverage as the Crosstown Shootout approaches, shaping up to be a thrilling showdown between the Bearcats and the Musketeers.