CINCINNATI, Ohio – The No. 19-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats held off the No. 22 Dayton Flyers to claim a 66-59 victory on Friday night during the Simple Truth Hoops Classic at Heritage Bank Center. This thrilling matchup saw Cincinnati improve its record to 9-1, successfully avenging last year's defeat to Dayton, who now stands at 10-3.
With 15,107 fans present, the atmosphere was electric, and it was the Cincinnati fans who left happiest after the Bearcats' triumph. Cincinnati started strong, initially leading by as many as 18 points, forcing Dayton to play catch-up throughout the game. Coach Wes Miller praised the crowd's support, stating, "I thought the difference was our people came out. You knew Dayton was going to travel for this one."
The Bearcats' victory was born from the intensity of their defense. Despite their offensive struggles, which included shooting only 36% from the field, UC managed to impose their will on Dayton through defensive pressure. The Flyers, known for their standout offense, were held to their season-low scoring output. Dayton struggled significantly, especially at the start, missing their first 11 shots and finishing the first half at just 25% shooting.
The opening half saw Cincinnati build its advantage quickly, with Dan Skillings Jr. igniting the scoring with six of UC's first eight points. By halftime, Cincinnati led Dayton 25-17. The Bearcats’ prowess on the boards was evident as they grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, leading to 18 second-chance points, something Dayton coach Anthony Grant acknowledged: "Their ability to create second shots and their physicality on the glass overwhelmed us."
After halftime, Cincinnati initially extended their lead, with Jizzle James hitting back-to-back three-pointers to push the margin to 53-35. Yet, Dayton was relentless, sparked by the efforts of Malachi Smith and Nate Santos, each of whom scored 13 points. They rallied back, cutting the lead to just four points late in the game thanks to Smith's important three-pointer with 2:01 remaining. "I’m so proud of our guys," Grant commented on the determination displayed, especially during the late rally.
With under two minutes to play, the Flyers looked poised to tie or take the lead, but the Bearcats responded calmly, sinking their free throws under pressure. Cincinnati went 11-for-12 at the foul line during the last five minutes of the game, including key free throws from Aziz Bandaogo, who stepped up when it mattered. Bandaogo's clutch free throws increased UC's lead back to six points and all but sealed the victory.
Cincinnati’s defensive effort was matched on individual levels, with Skillings Jr. leading the scoring with 17 points, complemented by Simas Lukosius and Jizzle James, who contributed 13 and 14 points, respectively. James' performance, particularly after struggling recently, reinvigorated the Bearcats' past struggles shooting from the perimeter.
Meanwhile, Dayton’s inability to hold onto the ball contributed to their downfall, as they committed 17 turnovers, marking their highest total of the season. Grant lamented the lack of ball security, especially when it mattered most: "We had some errors in judgment late in the game," acknowledging the impact of Cincinnati's defense. Dayton had previously averaged just under nine turnovers per game but faced challenges against the relentless Bearcats.
The evening’s contest was also historic, marking the fifth encounter where both teams were ranked. Cincinnati holds the all-time advantage over Dayton, now leading the rivalry 61-32. Following this significant win, the Bearcats will face Grambling State on Sunday, after which they will transition to Big 12 play against Kansas State. Dayton will also take some time off before resuming Atlantic 10 action with La Salle after the New Year.
With this battle behind them, both teams will look to refine their skills and strategies as they head toward conference matches, eager to capitalize on their strengths and rectify their weaknesses. Each coach expressed pride and optimism for the upcoming games, indicating these early-season challenges could define their postseason prospects.
The Bearcats showcased grit and resolve, paving the way for what they hope will be a successful conference season ahead.
