The Cincinnati Bearcats controlled a pseudo wire-to-wire win over BYU on Tuesday night, rolling to a 90–68 victory while trailing for just over two minutes of game time.
The loss marks BYU’s eighth loss in its last 11 games, while the Bearcats (17-13, 9-8) have now won six of their last seven as they continue a late push toward the NCAA Tournament.
As for how it unfolded, it was more of the same for BYU.
During this now 11-game slide, the Cougars have surrendered 49% shooting from the field and over 39% from beyond the arc, numbers that rank 342nd and 341st nationally.
Tuesday night offered no deviation from that trend. BYU looked disconnected defensively, frequently looking to each other and the sideline as another Bearcat found himself wide open.
More concerning, they looked broken and lifeless.
Cincinnati took full advantage, shooting 50% from the floor and knocking down 10 of 23 three-point attempts — many of which looked like shooting practice in an empty gym.
The offensive end was no better for BYU.
AJ Dybantsa endured his worst shooting night in nearly three weeks, finishing 7-of-21 from the field and just 1-of-8 from three.
Rob Wright III and Aleksej Kostić provided some efficiency, each shooting at least 50% and combining for 35 points, but any production felt hollow given the consistent double-digit deficit for the Cougars.
BYU also committed 15 turnovers, which Cincinnati converted into 21 points.
If there was any lingering hope that the Cougars could turn things around and salvage the season after a nightmarish month of February, this loss felt like a harsh reality check. Too many players have been lost. Too many things have gone wrong.
There comes a point where a team can only absorb so much, and that point has been reached.
BYU (20–10, 8–9) will host No. 10 Texas Tech in Provo on Saturday for Senior Night.