Turnovers doom Bearcats, TCU deflates bubble, 73-63

The Cincinnati Bearcats traveled to Fort Worth, Texas to face the TCU Horned Frogs for a Big 12 regular season finale. The Bearcats came into the game 17-13 overall (9-8 in the Big 12) winners of 6 of their last 7. TCU came into the game 20-10 overall (10-7 in the Big 12). 

TCU is pretty safe when it comes to being one of the teams to make the big dance, but for the Bearcats if they can win they will be 6th in the Big 12 tournament next week and have a better chance to sneak in. 

Shon Abaev and Tyler McKinley are trending to be available for today’s game. 

Would the Bearcats finish the season with a much needed win?

In the first half it was a back in forth game as their were seven lead changes and eight ties. TCU was led by senior guard Jayden Pierre who had 10 points and two assists. The Bearcats had timely shooting from Day Day Thomas who had a team high eight points, hitting two 3’s. TCU shot 48.3% from the field and it was aided by the Bearcats nine turnovers, scoring 11 points off the turnovers. The Bearcats dominated the glass 19-14, but they are only shooting 39.3% from 3. The Bearcats bench hasn’t scored, Sencire Harris has three assists, but is 0-for-3 from the field. Baba Miller has six rebounds, but has only taken one shot so far, he will have to seek his shot in the second half. 

The Bearcats are down 32-29 at the half, can they win the second half by 4 points? 

The Bearcats didn’t come out of the half locked in, committing five turnover in their first seven possessions. TCU pushed the lead over double digits in never looked back. Miller never got going finishing with four points, 14 rebounds, three assists and five turnovers. Thomas played well scoring 19 points, but didn’t get much help Jizzle James had 11 points and Jalen Celestine had 12 points. Moustapha Thiam had eight points, five rebounds and three turnovers. 

The Bearcats won the glass, 37-30, but points off turnovers is what kilt them, 24-7.

With the 73-63 loss, now 17-14 overall and 9-9 in the Big 12, they will be the ninth seed and have to play on Tuesday.

TCU is now 21-10 and 11-7 in the Big 12. 

This is a disappointing loss, with the bubble bursting how many wins do they need to have a chance to dance?