Cincinnati Bearcats Stay Unbeaten with Win Over Dayton Flyers

Cincinnati Bearcats Secure Victory Over Dayton in Rivalry Game

In a thrilling showdown between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Dayton Flyers, the Bearcats emerged victorious with a 74-62 win. This marked the first time in over 15 years that the Bearcats visited the UC campus for a game against their rivals. The win not only solidified their unbeaten record but also added to their growing list of bragging rights in this recently revived rivalry.

The game drew a crowd of 11,815 fans, which was not a sellout but still reflected the excitement surrounding the matchup. Despite the high number of fouls—25 for UC and 24 for Dayton—the Bearcats managed to hold on to their lead throughout the game. turnovers were a significant factor, allowing the Flyers to make a late push. However, UC's ability to overcome these challenges proved crucial in securing the win.

Key Performances and Team Stats

Day Day Thomas was the standout performer for the Bearcats, scoring 20 points and making all 12 of his free throws. His performance was complemented by freshman Shon Abaev, who contributed 14 points before fouling out. UC shot an impressive 47% from the field, compared to Dayton's 32%, and made 9 of 19 three-pointers. In contrast, the Flyers struggled significantly, hitting just 2 of 26 three-point attempts.

UC improved to 3-0 on the season, while Dayton suffered their first loss, dropping to 2-1. The Bearcats' dominance extended beyond the scoreboard, as they outrebounded Dayton 43-33, though the Flyers managed to outscore them in the paint 34-24.

Coach’s Perspective on the Win

Head coach Wes Miller acknowledged the significance of the victory, even in the face of challenges. "That will go in the book one day, to turn it over 24 times and win," he said. "Those are the best wins. Sometimes the best wins are when you can't make a shot and can't throw it in the ocean and you still find a way."

Miller emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and continuing to work hard, regardless of the outcome. "We've got a lot of work to do," he said. Following the game, the media learned that Dayton declined to participate in post-game interviews, a decision made prior to the match.

Day Day Thomas came to play

Thomas played a pivotal role on both ends of the court, defending Dayton's Javon Bennett, who shot just 3-for-15, including 1-for-10 from beyond the arc. His efforts were recognized by teammate Kerr Kriisa, who noted Thomas's dedication to preparation. "I said, 'You're going to go for 30!'" Kriisa remarked. "His response was, 'I've got to lock Javon Bennett down!' That just shows how nobody thinks about themselves here. We've got a really good group who values winning so much and just makes winning plays."

Thomas shared his mindset: "I take pride in that. I just wanted to take the challenge on. That's one of their leading scorers."

The Game's Intensity and Fan Engagement

The game was far from a blowout, keeping the Fifth Third Arena crowd engaged throughout. At times, the UC band had to play louder to drown out the occasional "Let's go Flyers" chants. With 9:32 remaining in the game, Dayton had cut UC's double-digit lead to a single point at 48-46. UC ultimately maintained control and secured the win.

The Bearcats now lead the all-time series 62-31 and have won 39 of 51 games on their home floor. The rivalry will continue next season when the series moves to UD Arena for the 2026-27 season.

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Takeaways from the Game

The Bearcats started strong, taking a 16-point lead in the first half. However, the game became more competitive as the second half progressed. A stepback triple from Abaev gave UC a 32-22 lead, but a foul on Baba Miller led to four consecutive free throws, narrowing the gap to six. By halftime, UC led 33-26.

The game remained close throughout, with UC eventually pulling away to a 12-point victory. Despite the win, the team faced criticism for their 24 turnovers. "A lot to clean up," Kriisa said. "You definitely can't be happy with the turnovers. 24. That's a lot. We gave up 24 possessions, and we still won by 12. There's definitely negatives, but we try to look at it as a positive."

Pressing Challenges and Team Adjustments

Dayton employed full-court pressure early in the game, resulting in 14 turnovers for UC in the first 20 minutes. The Flyers capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 12 points off turnovers compared to UC's three. The Bearcats responded with 24 turnovers and allowed 25 points off those miscues.

Coach Miller addressed the team's approach to the fast-paced style of play. "You can't do that," he said. "Most teams only talk about running in recruiting. Everybody says they're going to play fast. If we're ever going to be the kind of running team I think we're going to be, you've got to play through some stuff."

Cincinnati Bearcats start fast, but game got sloppy

Player Highlights and Challenges

Baba Miller, who had 16 points and seven rebounds in the NIT last March, went scoreless in the first half, taking just two shots. He finished with eight points and 10 rebounds, contributing to the team's effort despite his slow start.

Shon Abaev also faced foul trouble, picking up his third foul just 48 seconds into the second half. He returned later in the game with a left-handed dunk, but ultimately fouled out with two minutes remaining. His performance highlighted the challenges UC faced in managing their bench depth.

Free Throw Struggles and Improvement

UC struggled from the free-throw line in this game, shooting 59% until Thomas hit three in a row after being fouled on a three-point attempt. His perfect 12-of-12 free-throw performance helped keep the team's percentage respectable at 62%. Miller praised the team's resilience: "We were 1-for-8 between Baba and Mou (Moustapha Thiam), but Day Day stepping up and going 12-or-12 and Sencire (Harris) 6-for-8, I was really proud of that."

Cincinnati Bearcats could be better at free throw line.

Upcoming Schedule and Events

The Bearcats return to Fifth Third Arena on Sunday at 6 p.m. to host Mount St. Mary's on ESPN+. The Mountaineers, who began their season with a loss to West Virginia, will be looking to bounce back. The women's team, coached by Katrina Merriweather, will play Georgetown College at noon on the same day.

The game on November 11 is part of the Twyman-Stokes Classic, honoring the relationship between former Cincinnati Royals players Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes. The event celebrates their unique bond and legacy in college basketball.

Cincinnati Bearcats forward Baba Miller held scoreless for half

Additional Notes

The UC football team received attention during the game as the College Football Playoff Committee released their latest Top 25 rankings, with UC just inside at No. 25. The team will host Arizona on Saturday, November 15, at Nippert Stadium.

Cincinnati Bearcats football note