Cincinnati jumps ahead, then shuts down Arizona State

Field Level Media|published: Sat 18th January, 16:42 2025

Jan 18, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Dillon Mitchell (23) dribbles the ball against Arizona State Sun Devils guard Amier Ali (5) and forward Jayden Quaintance (21) in the first half at Fifth Third Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Dillon Mitchell led a balanced attack with 14 points and the Cincinnati defense swarmed visiting Arizona State in a 67-60 win Saturday afternoon.

Dan Skillings Jr. and Jizzle James scored 12 points each as the Bearcats (12-5, 2-4 Big 12) won their second straight.

Simas Lukosius scored all 10 of his points in the first half as the Bearcats bolted to a lead which they held the rest of the way.

Rotating 10 players, Cincinnati used its depth to frustrate Arizona State (10-7, 1-5), which made 35.5 percent (22 of 62) of its shots from the floor and 6-of-22 attempts (27.3 percent) from 3-point range.

The Bearcats also forced 14 turnovers while committing just seven.

Jayden Quaintance scored 15 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and blocked five shots to pace Arizona State, which has lost four straight.

Alston Mason added 13 points and BJ Freeman had 12 for the Sun Devils.

Arizona State's best moments came during a 15-2 run in the second half, when Freeman, Mason and Adam Miller hit 3-pointers as the Sun Devils reduced a 17-point deficit to 46-42 with 12 minutes left.

But Arizona State got no closer. In the final four minutes, Mitchell had two emphatic slam dunks -- one on an alley-oop and another on a breakaway to pad the Bearcats' lead.

In the game's ragged opening minutes, the teams combined to miss their first 13 shots from the floor.

Midway through the first half, Cincinnati went on a 16-0 run as Arizona State missed nine straight field-goal tries.

James triggered the spree with a pair of baskets. Then Lukosius and CJ Fredrick added 3-pointers as the Bearcats rolled to a 24-11 lead.

The Sun Devils answered with a 9-0 burst bookended by jumpers from Freeman. But Tyler Betsey responded with a triple to ignite a 10-point run which propelled the Bearcats to a 36-22 halftime lead.

In the first two minutes of the second half, James made three baskets to help Cincinnati to a lead that matched its largest at 42-25.

The Bearcats went cold later in the half, allowing the Sun Devils to surge.

--Field Level Media