Cincinnati Defeats Oklahoma State 87-68 in Big 12 Tournament Opener

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team opened the Big 12 Tournament with a commanding 87-68 win over Oklahoma State on March 11, 2025, moving one step closer to a potential NCAA Tournament berth.

Leading the charge for the Bearcats was Day Day Thomas, who tallied 21 points, alongside Dillon Mitchell, who contributed 18 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. The performance sent Cincinnati, the No. 13 seed, into the second round against fifth-seeded Iowa State.

Cincinnati secured the victory after a strong second half, dominating the Cowboys despite struggles throughout the season that had seen them lose their first four conference games. The Bearcats, now 18-14, previously faced Oklahoma State (15-17) just last weekend, where they suffered a defeat.

The Bearcats established a significant lead early, finishing the first half at 38-26. After halftime, they continued to assert control, never allowing the Cowboys to pull within ten points. Cincinnati’s defense shined, as they forced 24 turnovers and recorded 18 steals, marking one of their strongest defensive play days of the year.

“I thought our guys played with great effort tonight,” said Cincinnati Head Coach Wes Miller. “We got our hands on a lot of balls, and that’s why you see the large steal numbers.”

Despite the loss, Oklahoma State’s head coach Steve Lutz acknowledged the performance of Cincinnati. “I give Coach Miller and his team a lot of credit,” Lutz said. “They played with toughness and discipline, and we did not.”

Oklahoma State’s top scorer, Abou Ousmane, struggled during the match, playing only nine minutes before fouling out and finishing with just four points. Guard Arturo Dean led the Cowboys with 12 points but struggled to manage the ball, racking up six turnovers.

“We did not perform today. At the end of the day, we just didn’t play our best basketball,” Lutz continued. “They played better than us, and therefore they won.”

Cincinnati’s triumph is crucial as they aim to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, needing a few more wins in the tournament to bolster their chances. With their first-round victory in the Big 12, they will face off against Iowa State in the next round. Mitchell highlights their recent success, noting, “That’s just playing hard on defense, getting steals and then running. That’s when we have the most fun.”

The matchup against Iowa State will take place on March 12, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. ET, as the Bearcats continue their pursuit of postseason success.