Recap: Cincinnati 81 Georgia Tech 58
Playing their second road game of the week, Cincinnati backed up their No. 18 ranking with an 81-58 win over Georgia Tech.
(Photo: Cincinnati Athletics)
Dillon Mitchell scored 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field, including the first three-pointer of his career.
With 8:27 remaining in the second half, Mitchell buried a three to extend Cincinnati's lead to 66-46. Mitchell also pulled down 11 rebounds in his most complete game as a Bearcat.
Cincinnati dominated the paint, outscoring Tech 44-28, and also out-rebounded the Yellow Jackets, 36-29.
The Bearcats shot 52% (32-of-62) from the field and buried 41% (9-of-22) of their three-point attempts.
A big reason for Cincinnati shooting over 50% from the field, for the fifth time this season, was the play of sophomore point guard Jizzle James.
(Photo: Cincinnati Athletics)
James missed all five of his three-point attempts but didn't let it affect the rest of his game, dishing out seven assists to go with 14 points.
Connor Hickman connected on two of his three 3-point attempts and finished with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists.
Simas Lukosius finally came back to reality, making "only" two of his five 3-point attempts. Lukosius was the fourth Bearcat to finish in double figures, totaling 12 points in 30 minutes.
Georgia Tech scored the first basket of the game but the Bearcats answered with a 14-2 run to push their lead to double digits with 14:23 remaining in the first half. Georgia Tech never got closer than six the rest of the first half, as Cincinnati took a 45-29 lead in to the locker room after the first 20 minutes of play.
Lukosius' three with :21 seconds remaining in the half gave the Bearcats all the momentum they would need for a strong finish in the second half.
Jizzle James' dunk with :57 seconds left in the game put an exclamation mark on the Bearcat win.
Notes:
- Tyler Betsey continued to show why Wes Miller recruited him and has continually said he has the type of talent to contribute as a freshman when Big 12 play rolls around. The 6-foot-9 wing buried both of his three-point attempts and is now shooting 56% (9-of-16) from deep to begin his UC career.
(Photo- Cincinnati Athletics)
- Arrinten Page made his return to Atlanta but didn't have the type of homecoming the big man was hoping for. Page fouled out with four points in seven minutes. While it was a disappointing outcome for the sophomore big man, it's better for him to go through this now vs January or February.
- Aziz Bandaogo finished with 8 points, six rebounds....More importantly was ohis defense on Tech big man Baye Ndongo. The sophomore came in to Saturday leading Tech in both points and rebounds, but was limited to just five points, six rebounds in the loss to UC.
- Day Day Thomas is still finding his way as he gets back to full speed but it was encouraging to see him make two of his three 3-point attempts for six points.
Game highlights:
Highlights from today's 81-58 win at Georgia Tech.
— Cincinnati Men’s Hoops (@GoBearcatsMBB) November 23, 2024
🔺 Mitchell: 14p, 11r
🔺 James: 14p, 7a, 2s
🔺 Hickman: 14p, 5r, 3a
🔺 Lukošius: 12p
🔺 Bandaogo: 8p, 6r, 2b
🔺 Betsey: 6p, 5r#Bearcats | @big12studios pic.twitter.com/mBXTgwCM4X
Up Next:
Wednesday 11/27 v Alabama State (2-2)