Wes Miller, UC's Simas Lukosius and Rodney Terry, Texas players
Wes Miller, Simas Lukosius of UC and Rodney Terry, Max Abmas and Dylan Disu of Texas
A second chance at a Quadrant 1 win in less than three days for University of Cincinnati basketball failed with eight seconds left Tuesday night when Texas guard Max Abmas swished the net for the 14th lead change of the game.
That gave the Longhorns a 74-73 lead. No timeout was called and UC's Simas Lukošius fired one last shot that missed the target, denying the Bearcats a victory over No. 25 Texas in front of their home fans.
“I wouldn’t say that we were trying to prove anything at all,” Lukošius said. “We know how good we are and we know we belong. As for disappointment, we have a few hours to be sad. We knew what to expect with the Big 12, and tomorrow we have to arrive and prepare for it. Baylor.
Both UC and Texas are now 12-3 and 1-1 in the Big 12.
It was the first win for Texas in the short three-game series between the schools. With the Longhorns heading to the SEC, this could be their last meeting for a while unless they meet in the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
“We knew it was a big moment for us,” Abmas said. “It was a great atmosphere. It got really loud. At times you really couldn’t hear anything.”
Texas 6-foot-9 sophomore Dylan Disu got the starting start in place of the injured Kadin Shedrick, who was sidelined with a back injury. He responded with a game-high 33 points, while Abmas' final shot gave him 15 points on the night.
Lukošius led UC with 19 points and had given the Bearcats a 73-70 lead after back-to-back baskets with 59 seconds left.
5 thoughts on UC's first Big 12 loss
1. Not much D on Disu
Disu had played five games for Texas due to injury. He averaged 11 points and three rebounds. He finished with 32 points, 13 of 23 from the field and 4 of 10 from beyond the arc. It was a career high, surpassing the 29 goals he scored for Vanderbilt against Kentucky in February 2021.
“It was really loud,” Disu said of UC’s Big 12 fans. “The student section was great. There was a great atmosphere.”
UC coach Wes Miller said: “We definitely had a lot of problems with Disu and Abmas and the high ball protection, and they tried it over and over again. The only guy we found that could defend it was Jamille (Reynolds). That's why he played so much. Then he finds his way on the other side and scores in the penalty area. It was nice to see him come to life.”
Reynolds scored 11 points in less than 18 minutes while Aziz Bandaogo, who was brilliant against BYU, went scoreless.
2. No foul or timeout at the end
The Bearcats were within a whisker of beating back-to-back teams for the first time in 11 years. Coach Wes Miller was asked about the foul on Texas since they had one to play before the bonus, but said it was difficult to signal in the final seconds.
As for failing to take time off after the Abmas result:
“Do you get it out quick before the defense stands, or do you get a timeout and let the defense stand?” Miller said. “If I were in a coaching clinic, I would tell you there is no right answer. What is best for your team? We work every day to run and get it out there fast.”
3. A tough night at stake
UC trailed 41-39 at halftime and was just 6-for-12 in the first half after the charity stripe. They finished the game just 8:15, with the final miss giving Texas a possession. The Longhorns fouled late and eventually put Newman on the line. He got the last two done, but missed the last one, which opened the door for Abmas heroics.
“No one is going to try harder than John Newman tonight, and that just breaks my heart,” Miller said. “It’s not fair because he shouldn’t be doing it. A missed free throw in a one-on-one does not define the game. We had two chances to get stops to win a game and we didn’t get any stops. That’s why we lost.”
UC missed several layups that could have changed the game.
“When you look down, you score 73 points and I don’t know how many layups we missed, but it felt like a lot,” Miller said. “
4. Should fans expect games with 14 lead changes?
“That's just how the Big 12 plays, man!” Texas coach Terry said. “That’s why it’s the best league in the country. There is no such thing as a free evening. Whether you're at home or on the road, you have to come and get these victories. Nobody will give you a victory. We.” I found that out on Saturday. These are possession games. These are tough games.”
5. Closing, but not a sellout
Anticipation was high for the Big 12 opener at Fifth Third Arena and the game was arguably as loud as any UC game this season. On the other hand, attendance was reported at 11,014, which is 998 less than the building's capacity of 12,012.
“I thought our fans were incredible tonight,” Miller said. “It was an environment at the highest level.”
Next game
UC makes its first visit to Waco, Texas to take on the No. 14 Baylor Bears on Saturday at 8 p.m