CINCINNATI – The Arizona Wildcats showed resilience on Saturday, January 4, 2025, overcoming adversity to claim a 72-67 victory against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena, marking their first away game of the Big 12 season.
With this win, Arizona improved its overall record to 8-5 and recorded its second consecutive victory within the conference (2-0), leaving Cincinnati at 10-3 and still searching for its first Big 12 win at 0-2. The game started strong for Arizona, which took control early, holding a significant 39-26 advantage at halftime.
Freshman Carter Bryant led the way for Arizona by igniting the offense off the bench, contributing eight points during his short minutes on the court. Arizona managed to build on its lead early in the second half, reaching as high as 19 points. But the Bearcats had other plans and mounted a fierce comeback.
For the Wildcats, point guard Jaden Bradley emerged as the standout player, scoring 15 points overall and hitting key shots when they mattered most. The game’s turning point came when Cincinnati tied the score at 64, setting off panic within the Wildcats' ranks. Bradley quickly responded by scoring on a layup followed by two successful free throws, restoring Arizona’s lead.
Despite the high stakes, both teams faced challenges throughout the match. Cincinnati struggled offensively, finishing with only 39.1% shooting and exceeding its turnovers (11) to assists (10). Dan Skillings Jr. led the Bearcats with 18 points but received minimal assistance from his teammates, highlighting the issues coach Wes Miller has faced with consistent offensive production.
The Bearcats’ performance fell short of expectations, especially after their previous loss to Kansas State. The defeat highlighted the need for Cincinnati to find solutions, particularly with offensive execution and managing ball-handling issues, which have plagued them all season.
Cincinnati connected on just 27.8% of its three-point attempts, struggling with missed opportunities and errant shots, especially during key moments. The team relied heavily on Skillings and Dillon Mitchell, who added 13 points, but their combined efforts weren’t enough to overcome the persistent defensive pressure from Arizona.
Arizona’s coach emphasized the importance of solidifying their defensive strategy moving forward, aiming to balance it with effective scoring, especially when under pressure. The Wildcats held Cincinnati to just 40% shooting from the field, and their ability to capitalize on free throws helped them secure the win. Arizona finished 21-27 from the charity stripe, whereas Cincinnati only managed 12-23.
The tight ending saw both teams exchanging leads and clutch plays, with fans on the edge of their seats. A layup attempt by Cincinnati missed, and strategic fouls led to Bradley securing the win with his free throws down the stretch. After falling behind, the Bearcats attempted to rally but eventually could not find the offensive rhythm needed to complete the comeback.
Next, Arizona will continue its road trip when it faces No. 25 Baylor, aiming to build on their recent successes. Meanwhile, Cincinnati must regroup before their next conference match, seeking to finally break their losing streak.