ORLANDO, FL – It took sixty minutes of game time, but the Cincinnati Bearcats finally showed up to the American Athletic Conference tournament on Saturday, storming back from a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat the Memphis Tigers 70-60. Cincinnati advances to the AAC Championship game to face either Houston or Wichita State on Sunday.
Absolutely nothing went right for Cincinnati at the start. Memphis came out hot with back-to-back three-pointers from Jamal Johnson. The Tigers quickly built a 9-2 lead as Cincinnati’s flat shooting and uninspired effort against SMU on Friday carried over to Saturday.
Kyle Washington appeared to be the only player to arrive with intensity and emotion, but he allowed that emotion to get the best of him with two quick fouls that limited him to just five minutes of action in the first half.