Bearcats’ defense helps hand Bulldogs first loss
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Jacob Evans III had 24 points and eight rebounds, and No. 25 Cincinnati recovered from back-to-back losses and handed Mississippi State its first defeat, 65-50 on Tuesday night.
The Bearcats (8-2) were coming off losses to crosstown rival Xavier and Florida that dropped them from No. 11 to the fringe of the rankings. They ended the slump with a solid defensive showing against the Southeastern Conference’s last unbeaten team, blocking 11 shots.
Mississippi State (8-1) was off to its best start since 2003-04. The Bulldogs struggled to make shots in their first game against a ranked team. They missed 10 straight in the first half and 14 in a row in the second as Cincinnati blew open a close game.
Aric Holman matched his career high with 18 points for Mississippi State, which shot a season-low 30 percent from the field.
Cincinnati has won 31 straight home games, the longest streak in the nation. The Bearcats are playing this season at BB&T Arena at Northern Kentucky University while their on-campus arena is renovated. Muhammad-Ali AbdurRahkman had 17 points and 10 rebounds, including a key three-pointer, and visiting Michigan (9-3) beat Texas (6-3). Abdur-Rahkman was 7 of 15 from the floor, and his three with 4:53 remaining gave Michigan a 10-point lead. Dylan Osetkowski scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half to lead Texas, which shot a season-low 36.5 percent. Osetkowski prevented Michigan from pulling away by scoring nine points during the first four minutes of the second half, and the Longhorns cut a 12-point halftime deficit to three with 14:11 remaining. Michigan responded with an 11-0 push, including three consecutive threes in a span of less than two minutes, to take a 14-point lead.
Anthony Cowan scored 18 points, Kevin Huerter added 14, and host Maryland (10-3) overcame a sluggish start before pulling away from Division III Catholic (9-4). The Terrapins had three key players out of the lineup because of injuries. Jared Nickens had 14 points for Maryland, which led by just six at the break. Deshawn Freeman scored 14 points to lead six players in double figures, and host Rutgers (9-3) beat Fordham (4-6). Four players scored in double figures to lead visiting Capital (4-5) over Denison (6-3). Will Hannah led the Crusaders with 19 points, Joey Weingartner scored 17, Austin Schreck 14 and Caleb Cox 12.