Houston ends Bearcats’ 16 Game Winning Streak

The Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball team’s 16 game winning steak came to end this evening at a jam packed H&PE Arena in Houston, Texas.

The University of Houston Cougars weathered Cincinnati’s body blows in the first half and took control of the game in its final twenty minutes. They defeated the now 23-3 Bearcats 67 to 62, handing them their first conference defeat in 13 AAC contests.

Houston earned their 20th win this evening, pushing their overall record to 20-5 and 10-3 in the American, erasing any doubt that this Cougars team belongs in the NCAA Tournament.

Cincinnati opened a 17-6 lead early in the game, but Houston chipped away slowly at their lead for the remainder of the half. At the break, Cincinnati held a 27-24 lead. Houston’s frontcourt, led by Nura Zanna (8 rebounds) and Devin Davis (10 rebounds), took control of the boards late in the half. Houston outrebounded Cincinnati 36-27 on the evening.

Houston outshot the Bearcats all evening. The Cougars posted a .480 field goal percentage and hit 7 of their 17 attempts from outside. Cincinnati shot less than .380 from the field and couldn’t hit the side of a barn from beyond the arc.

Senior forward Devin Davis led the Cougars this evening, posting a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds). Junior guard Corey Davis, Jr. added 16 points as well in the winning effort.

Jacob Evans (16 points) and Jarron Cumberland (14 points) led the Bearcats in scoring this evening.

The schedule gets no easier for Cincinnati this weekend. They host 19th ranked Wichita State in a nationally televised game on Sunday afternoon at 4 PM.

Head back to Down the Drive for full pre-game coverage of this contest.