LUBBOCK, Texas – The Cincinnati Bearcats pulled off a dramatic road victory over Texas Tech, 75-72, against the No. 15 team in the country on Saturday night on the windy Great Plains.
With 35 seconds left, Texas Tech star Pop Isaacs hit a 3-pointer for the game's 13th lead change, giving the Reds a 72-71 lead. Undaunted, Simas Lukosius scored the game-winning goal 14 seconds later, taking a 73-72 lead. One stop later, John Newman III had a solo dunk for his 15th win for the Bearcats.
Lukosius led UC with 16 points, Dan Skillings Jr. had 14 points and Aziz Bandaogo had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Isaacs led Texas Tech with 22 points. The Red Raiders fell to 16-5 (5-3 Big 12). It was their first loss at home this season. UC is currently 15-7 (4-5 in the Big 12).
The match was close and progressed reasonably well.
It was the first competition between Big 12 schools in about 63 years. Hoping to win the 1961 NCAA national championship, the Bearcats defeated the Red Raiders 78-55 in Lawrence, Kansas, on St. Patrick's Day that year.
The lead changed hands just three times in the first half, but the lead changed hands many times in the second half. In the end, there were 14 changes. Cal made all 10 free throws and outrebounded Texas Tech 39-35.
“Please refrain from throwing things on the floor.”
That was the request from the Texas Tech PA announcer after Cal took a 53-50 lead and Aziz Bandaogo was awarded two free throws. The 7-footer was booed by the crowd, some of whom violated the public address announcer's demands.
down at breakpoint
As in eight of the past nine games, the Bearcats led 37-36 at halftime. Isaacs sank a trey in Lukosius' face for a 37-34 lead. UC called a timeout and Dan Skillings Jr. scored with less than a second before time expired. Texas Tech's Robert Jennings scored 10 points in the first half. His highest score last season was six points.
Red Raiders return
With Texas Tech drawing a foul, Jennings gave Texas Tech its first lead by missing a lead on a one-on-one at 7:22 of the first half, but recovered the rebound to take a 21-20 lead. .
Silence early at the supermarket
The Bearcats led 6-4 at the first media timeout, but Jamil Reynolds and John Newman III scored back-to-back goals 50 seconds later, forcing coach Grant McCasland to make another call. United Supermarket Arena woke up and Simas Lukosi's triple gave the Bearcats a 13-4 advantage. Texas Tech held an 11-2 lead, but Skillings' lay-in gave UC a 17-15 lead going into the second media timeout.
Striped pattern
Texas Tech entered the game 11-0 at home. The last loss on the home hardwood was on March 4, 2023 against Oklahoma State. The Red Raiders finished the 2021-22 season with an 18-0 record at home.
5th super bowl
Both schools have strong interest in the Super Bowl, which will take place on February 11th between Kansas City and San Francisco. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes may be Texas Tech's most notable graduate right now, but both reliable tight end Travis Kelce and safety Brian Cook are former UC Bearcats. For the record, Taylor Swift didn't attend college, but her concert photos were proudly displayed in the media room at Texas Tech University.
next match
The Bearcats have until next Saturday, Feb. 10, to prepare for a 4 p.m. tip against No. 4 Houston back at Fifth Third Arena. On Saturday, the Cougars lost to No. 8 Kansas.
Bearcat Women in the Victory Column
Coach Katrina Merriweather's team defeated Texas Tech 74-56 at Fifth Third Arena.
