CINCINNATI — Simas Lukosius contributed significantly to the team with 14 points and a leading six assists, helping No. 20 Cincinnati secure an 83-56 victory against Morehead State on Friday evening.

Joining him in the scoring department, Jizzle James and Dillon Mitchell each added 14 points, while Aziz Bandaogo contributed 12. Off the bench, Arrinten Page also made an impact with 13 points, contributing to the Bearcats’ improved record of 2-0.

For Morehead State, Kenny White Jr. scored 10 points, and both Dieonte Miles and Jalen Breazeale added nine each. This match marked the fifth consecutive season that Morehead faced a ranked team.

Cincinnati managed to turn around a hesitant start, establishing an 18-point lead by halftime. The Bearcats showcased their offensive strength with a shooting rate of 60% from the field, including 37.5% from beyond the arc with six successful three-pointers out of 16 attempts.

Observations from the game reveal that Dieonte Miles was up against a known rival; the 7-foot forward had previously transferred from Xavier, Cincinnati’s cross-town adversary, after a successful run over three seasons.

Cincinnati displayed impressive teamwork by recording 27 assists in their opening win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff earlier in the week, and they continued this trend with another 18 assists in Friday’s game. Notably, they registered 12 assists on 16 field goals during the first half alone.

A critical moment unfolded early in the second half when the Bearcats appeared disorganized. However, a timeout called by head coach Wes Miller seemed to shift the momentum. Immediately following the break, Mitchell capitalized on a steal, converting it into a breakaway dunk to extend their lead to 41-21 just three minutes into the half.

An important statistic from the game highlighted that Cincinnati was able to convert 15 points off 10 turnovers made by the Eagles, whereas Morehead State could only manage two points from four turnovers committed by the Bearcats.

Looking ahead, Morehead State is set to face Chattanooga on Thursday, while Cincinnati will host Nicholls State on Friday.