(Cincinnati, OH) — This has been a tough week for the #2 ranked Iowa St. Cyclones losing their second in a row to Cincinnati 79-70 in a Big 12 game on Saturday afternoon.
The loss came despite a career high 34 points for Milan Momcilovic who hit eight three-pointers in the game. However, the Bearcats hit their own threes — three straight triples gave UC a 16-8 lead and another three from Day Day Thomas made it 19-8. Iowa St. leads the nation in three point percentage but they only made 1 of their first 7 attempts. The Cyclones rallied somewhat to trail 35-31 at the half.
After ISU tied the game at 38-38, the Bearcats retook control with an 11-0 run and they eventually built a 17 point lead 67-50. Iowa St. came back with an 14-2 stretch with Momcilovic getting 9 of those points to cut the lead to 69-64 with 4:38 left. That’s as close as the Cyclones got.
Cincinnati (10-8, 2-3) was led by Day Day Thomas with 19 points, Jizzie James had 15 and Sencire Harris and Jalen Celestine each added 12. It was the first win for the Bearcats over a Quad 1 opponent after losing their first six.
Iowa St. (16-2, 3-2) was led by Momcilovic’s 34 with the only other player in double figures was Joshua Jefferson with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
Next up for ISU is a home game against Central Florida on Tuesday, January 20. Cyclones Pre Game at 5 pm on KSOM.
