On December 20, 2024, the No. 19 Cincinnati Bearcats hosted the No. 22 Dayton Flyers at Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bearcats secured a 66-59 victory, ending Dayton’s five-game winning streak.
Key Performances
- Cincinnati Bearcats:
- Dan Skillings Jr.: Led the team with 17 points, six rebounds, and four steals.
- Jizzle James: Contributed 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three blocks, rebounding from a previous tough performance.
- Simas Lukosius: Added 13 points despite shooting challenges.
- Dayton Flyers:
- Nate Santos and Malachi Smith: Each scored 13 points, with Smith adding five assists.
- Zed Key and Posh Alexander: Both tallied 11 points, with Key grabbing six rebounds.
Game Highlights
The first half was marked by shooting struggles from both teams. Dayton missed its initial 11 shots, notching its first field goal at the 8:45 mark. Cincinnati also faced difficulties, making only 3 of 17 three-point attempts. The Bearcats led 25-17 at halftime.
In the second half, Cincinnati extended its lead to 53-35 following a three-pointer by Jizzle James with 7:36 remaining. Dayton responded with a 7-0 run, narrowing the gap to four points after a three-pointer by Malachi Smith with 2:01 left. However, the Bearcats maintained their composure, securing the win.
Statistical Overview
- Field Goal Percentage:
- Cincinnati: 36%
- Dayton: 39.2%
- Three-Point Shooting:
- Cincinnati: 27.6% (8 of 29)
- Dayton: 27.8% (5 of 18)
- Free Throws:
- Cincinnati: 76.2% (16 of 21)
- Dayton: 93.3% (14 of 15)
- Rebounds:
- Cincinnati: 34 total (17 offensive)
- Dayton: 27 total (10 offensive)
- Turnovers:
- Cincinnati: 6
- Dayton: 17
Historical Context
This victory improved Cincinnati’s record to 9-1, while Dayton fell to 10-3. The Bearcats avenged their previous loss to the Flyers on the same court in December 2023, enhancing their lead in the all-time series to 61-32.
Upcoming Games
- Cincinnati Bearcats: Set to host Grambling State on Sunday.
- Dayton Flyers: Will host La Salle on December 31.
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