VILLANOVA, Pa. – In their first visit to Villanova University since their Big East days over 12 years ago, the Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball team suffered their first loss of the season against the fired-up Wildcats, 68-60
The Big East crowd and team seemed unfazed that they were playing the No. 14 team in the country.
Eric Dixon hit back-to-back triples late in the game to give the Wildcats some breathing room. UC had cut a 14-point deficit to a basket in the first 6:17 of the second half, but couldn’t overcome the dominating Dixon who would finish with 31 points.
Jhamir Brickus had 13 points and three treys tying Dixon. Woogie Poplar had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Jizzle James would finish with 19 points for the Bearcats with Simas Lukošius finishing with 13 on an atypical shooting night. It was a season-low in points for the Bearcats, less than the 76 they scored at NKU in a win.
UC’s only lead was in the first 25 seconds of the game on a Jizzle James bucket. Villanova withstood every run UC had in them on this night. The Wildcats shot 49% to UC’s 38%.
UC is now 6-1 with Villanova going to 5-4.
Takeaways from Cincinnati Bearcats at Villanova
Unchartered territory for Cincinnati Bearcats
After a Jhamir Brickus trey at the buzzer, UC trailed by nine, 37-28. It was their first halftime deficit and the most points they had given up by the break. Brickus made all of his first-half three-point attempts while UC was just 2-for-9. Lukošius missed on with 1:42 in the half that would have cut the Villanova lead to one. Brickus came into the game hitting 53% of his triples with Eric Dixon at 56%.
The 28 points was their worst halftime effort. The 60 total was also a season-low.
Wes Miller’s career record is now 10-26 with the Bearcats when they are down at halftime.
Rough night from the perimeter
UC had outshot all of their opponents from the arc in their previous games. At the break, they were just 2-for-9. In four of their games, they had hit double-digit threes. Going into the final minutes, Simas Lukošius was just 2-for-8 and 2-for-12 overall from the field. He did hit a pair late in the game.
UC would hit 8-of-26 from the arc, more than the season-low six they had vs. Morehead State, but many came in late desperation. Villanova was 8-for-20 on threes.
Frigid Finneran Pavilion
It was 33 degrees outside as the game tipped off and cold enough inside that many of those attending the game kept on their coats. Villanova had reported recent sellouts of 6,501 at Finneran but there were definitely empty seats the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Likewise, the Bearcats came out cold shooting the ball spending much of the half below 40% with Villanova hitting 54% in the first half.
Pregame Bearcats action
Typically the staff runs some of the bench players through drills before the start of warmups to keep them fresh. Tuesday, Tyler McKinley, recovering from a knee operation was among the Bearcats in pregame gear running through some shooting and footwork drills. It would be extremely doubtful if he were to play this season, but his mobility is remarkable considering the work done.
Dan Skillings Jr. remained in sweats but did come out and shoot some free throws. There remains no specific timetable for his return as he recovers from his knee procedure.
Who’s got next?
The Bearcats return home for a Sunday matinee 2 p.m. tip against Howard. Last year in Washington, D.C., the Bearcats had a tough test against the Bison, winning 86-81 in overtime to remain undefeated. Eden James, the brother of UC point guard Jizzle James, is a running back for the Howard University football team.
Cincinnati Bearcats women’s basketball
On Education Day Tuesday morning, the Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Central Connecticut State 78-49 to improve their record to 5-2. Jillian Hayes had her fifth double-double of the season with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Coach Katrina Merriweather’s squad is home with Western Illinois Friday at 6:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: University of Cincinnati men’s basketball loss to Villanova takeaways
