CINCINNATI — In an exciting season opener, Simas Lukosius scored 20 points and Dan Skillings Jr. contributed 17, leading No. 20 Cincinnati to a decisive victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with a final score of 109-54 on Monday night.
Connor Hickman also made a significant impact by adding 13 points, while Jizzle James chipped in with 12 for the Bearcats, showcasing a strong offensive performance with six players reaching double digits.
On the opposing team, Dante Sawyer was the standout player, scoring 11 points to lead the Golden Lions. Cincinnati initially struggled to find their rhythm but fueled by a powerful 17-2 run, they managed to pull ahead significantly by the end of the first half.
With seconds remaining in the half, Jizzle James drained a three-pointer to push the score to 55-32. This marks a significant moment for Cincinnati, as they have achieved a ranking in the AP poll for the first time since the 2018-19 season, when they last participated in the NCAA Tournament.
Looking at the Golden Lions, Cincinnati is one of two ranked opponents they will face this season, alongside a match-up with No. 19 Texas set for December 15. Since their transition to Division I in 1998, Arkansas-Pine Bluff has struggled against ranked teams, holding an 0-33 record.
Cincinnati also faced challenges with player availability, as Tyler McKinley, a highly anticipated freshman forward, is sidelined for the entire season, and third-leading scorer Day Day Thomas is currently recovering from a foot injury. However, the Bearcats demonstrated their squad depth, with 12 players participating and 10 of them scoring during the game.
One of the key moments occurred when Cincinnati struggled early on, hitting only 4 of their first 10 shots. The tide turned as Lukosius scored consecutive baskets followed by a thrilling breakaway dunk from Skillings, initiating a 10-0 run that propelled them to a commanding lead.
In terms of statistics, the Bearcats had shooting challenges from the free-throw line last season, finishing at 68%, which hurt them in several close games against ranked teams such as Texas, Baylor, and Oklahoma. In this match, they made 13 of 23 attempts from the line, averaging 56.5%.
Looking ahead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff will be playing against Champion Christian College on Wednesday, while Cincinnati is set to host Morehead State on Friday.