![\"NCAA](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/28188354.jpg\")
Feb 8, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats center Moustapha Thiam (52) battles for the loose ball against UCF Knights center John Bol (7) in the first half at Fifth Third Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nBaba Miller scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead all five starters in double figures as Cincinnati controlled visiting UCF by a 92-72 count in Big 12 play on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Moustapha Thiam posted 15 points and seven rebounds as he returned to action against his previous school after missing the last two games with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Jizzle James scored 15 points and Jalen Celestine added 14 for Cincinnati (12-12, 4-7), which pulled away with a 14-2 second-half run and reached the 90-point mark for the first time in Big 12 play since a Feb. 5, 2025, win at UCF.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Chris Johnson and Jordan Burks each scored 16 points to lead the Knights (17-6, 6-5), who lost their second straight game by 20-plus points to scuff their NCAA Tournament resume after a three-game win streak.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Themus Fulks, UCF’s leading playmaker and second-leading scorer, was held scoreless and had just two assists in 19 minutes. He played just four minutes in the second half.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n As they did against West Virginia on Thursday, the Bearcats were able to assume control in the opening 20 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Cincinnati took a 21-13 lead before UCF’s Jamichael Stillwell (14 points) knocked down a jumper with 5:30 left to cap a 6-0 run and forge a 26-26 tie. But Cincinnati caught fire and closed the half on a 14-2 run, highlighted by a pair of Celestine 3-pointers to end the half.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Bearcats opened the second half by scoring the first nine points to take a 49-30 lead, capping a 23-2 run that seemingly gave Cincinnati control of the game with 18:13 to play.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n UCF coach Johnny Dawkins removed Fulks shortly thereafter and he did not return until there was less than eight minutes left. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Meanwhile, UCF unleashed an 11-0 run that featured three straight 3-pointers — one by Chris Johnson and two by George Beale Jr. — to draw within 62-56 with 9:33 left.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Thiam hit a baseline jumper to end the UCF rally and James added a deep three from the left wing to spark a 9-0 spurt and restore Cincinnati’s lead to double figures at 71-56.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n