Coogs get thumped by Cincinnati in AAC Tournament final

Byron L. Riley, CPA; 832-303-3995; Do you need tax help? IRS Tax help available- Free Consult

POSTED: March 17, 2019 -- 4:45 p.m. CDT

MEMPHIS, TN (FedEx Forum) -- The Houston Cougars lost to the Cincinnati Bearcats, 69-57, Sunday afternoon, in the American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Championship game. Cincinnati's Jarron Cumberland scored a game-high 33 points. Cumberland made 11 of his 24 field goal attempts and 11 of 13 free throw attempts. Cumberland was named Most Outstand Player of the AAC Tournament.

Cumberland received scoring help from teammates Cane Broome (15 points, on 5 for 10 field goal shooting) and Trevon Scott (12 points, 3 for 5 field goals and 5 for 6 free throws).

Houston (31-3) struggled to make shots the entire ball game; however, Houston trailed by only three points (33-30) at halftime. Houston trailed 21-20 for three minutes, in the first half, and had chances to take the lead; but, two missed free throws and three missed field goals kept Houston behind. Houston never led in the ball game.

Cincinnati (28-6) led for nearly 38 (37:56) of the 40 minutes today. Game was tied for 2:04.

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Byron L. Riley, CPA; 832-303-3995; Do you need tax help? IRS Tax help available- Free Consult

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Cincinnati scored the first 4 points of the second half; and, Houston called a quick timeout. After the timeout, Houston scored; however, Cincinnati scored 6 straight points to lead 43-32 which resulted in another Houston timeout.

Houston answered with 6 points in a row to pull with five (43-38) with 12:51 left in the game. Cincinnati responded with 12-2 run to lead 55-40 with 7 minutes on the game clock. Houston did not get closer than 10 points the rest of the game.

In last Sunday's regular season-finale, Houston senior guard Corey Davis Jr lit up the Bearcats with 31 points. Today, Davis

scored 12 points and struggled to make shots. He finished the game 3 for 13 from the floor and 2 for 10 from three.

In addition to Davis' struggles, freshman Nate Hinton scored 3 points on 1 for 8 field goal shooting. Hinton had 16 points and 11 rebounds last Sunday against Cincinnati.

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Byron L. Riley, CPA; 832-303-3995; Do you need tax help? IRS Tax help available- Free Consult

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Houston's Chris Harris Jr. provided a spark with 8 rebounds and 4 blocks; but, Harris went 0 for 4 from the foul line. Houston shot 11 for 18 from the line.

NEXT:

Houston waits to learn its seed, location, and opponent in the 2019 NCAA Tournament

CLICK HERE for The HRR's write-ups of Coogs' men's hoops games.