CINCINNATI — In a notable performance, Hunter Dickinson recorded 14 points along with 12 rebounds, achieving his eighth double-double of the season, as the No. 11 Kansas Jayhawks emerged victorious over the Cincinnati Bearcats with a score of 54-40 on Saturday.
The contest featured two of the country’s leading defensive squads, resulting in a game characterized by low scoring. The Jayhawks demonstrated their defensive prowess by keeping the Bearcats scoreless for an extended period of over six minutes during the second half, which catalyzed a decisive 14-0 scoring run.
The 40 points scored by Cincinnati marked the fewest points recorded under the leadership of head coach Wes Miller throughout his four-year tenure.
Zeke Mayo contributed eight points for Kansas (12-3, 3-1 Big 12), helping the team extend its winning streak to three games. For Cincinnati (10-5, 0-4 Big 12), Dillon Mitchell led the scoring with 10 points, while Arrinten Page and Dan Skillings Jr. chipped in nine points each.
Both squads struggled with their shooting, failing to reach 40% efficiency, and collectively went just 3 for 18 from beyond the arc in the first half. The Bearcats managed to hold a slim 25-24 lead at the halftime break, bolstered by Mitchell’s impressive eight-point performance in the first half.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when a turnover by Cincinnati allowed Moore to convert a dunk following a lob from Mayo, bringing Kansas ahead 46-37 with 3:48 remaining on the clock.
In terms of key observations, Kansas showcased impressive defensive skills as they rallied back from a halftime deficit once again to secure the victory. Previously, they had trailed by six points at home against Arizona State but limited their opponent to just 13 points in the second half for a convincing 74-55 win. This time, they were able to allow only 15 points in the second half after trailing by one at the break.
Cincinnati, known for its reliance on the 3-point shot with an average of 24 attempts per game, has struggled recently, managing just 16 out of 60 attempts (26 percent) from long range over the last three outings.
A significant turning point in the match came when Page missed a dunk that could have brought the Bearcats within one point, allowing Moore’s subsequent layup to extend Kansas’s lead to 42-37 with 5:26 left. From that moment on, Kansas would outscore Cincinnati 12-3 to seal the win.
A noteworthy statistic from the game was that Kansas capitalized on Cincinnati’s 12 turnovers, converting them into 16 points.
Looking ahead, Kansas will face Iowa State in their next game on Wednesday, while Cincinnati is set to travel to Colorado for their upcoming matchup also on Wednesday.
