Cincinnati Basketball: Takeaways from Bearcats opening defeat to Ohio State

After leading 26-19 at halftime Cincinnati Basketball seemed to fall apart in the second half. What are the biggest takeaways from the Bearcats Defeat to Ohio State?

In a game where Cincinnati looked to be in control for a majority of the first half, Ohio State completely flipped the script in the second half. Ohio State clawed back into the game and never looked back outscoring Cincinnati by 15 points in the second half to come away with a 64-56 win in what was both teams season openers.

Certainly not the start that Cincinnati was hoping for under new head coach John Brannen but there were positives. Cincinnati had a seven-point lead at halftime and it took the Buckeyes seven minutes to record their first points of the contest. Defensively they were sound in the first half forcing Ohio State to make some bad passes and turn the ball over.

Unfortunately, the Bearcats couldn’t execute in the second half. Dismal shooting and an inability to put the ball in the basket finally caught up with UC as Ohio State finally started to find their rhythm in the second half.

Jarron Cumberland had a disappointing night but was able to help spark a late run to pull the Bearcats within just a couple of points. Jaevin Cumberland was disappointing as well, the graduate transfer managed only three points shooting just 1-6 from the floor. Tre Scott finished the night with no field goals made.

Cincinnati couldn’t execute on the offensive end in the second half and found themselves in a world of hurt with foul trouble. We’ll take a look at some of the biggest takeaways from the Bearcats defeat and how that may impact them the rest of the season.