Looking good in the final score, UC defeated the Buckeyes 79-68 with Tylen Riley and Tyler Tejada leading the Bearcats' second-half comeback from a 35-30 halftime deficit. UC outscored the Buckeyes 49-33 in the second half with Riley scoring 18 of his 23 points and Tejada scoring 15 of his 17.
Ohio State was led by John Mobley Jr. with 15 points.
The Bearcats outrebounded the Buckeyes 45-35 and outshot them 48% to 41%. UC was 4-for-19 on 3-pointers with Ohio State just 4-of-23. The Bearcats were 19-of-32 shooting free throws.
It won’t go down as a classic, but the Bearcats are 1-0 in the exhibition season with their next game coming against another Big Ten opponent, Illinois on Oct. 17.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Ohio State Buckeyes overcome glare in outdoor show
1. Sun is nice in October, but not necessarily for shooting baskets
The game began with UC shooting at the lone shady basket, and Ohio State in the sun. As the half progressed, UC's end was about half-and-half, which apparently was disruptive as the Bearcats didn't hit a 3-point shot until 2:56 left in the half with Trevian Carson canning his first points. Adlan Elamin added one before the break, but UC was a dismal 2-for-12.
Free throw shooting was also shaky with the Bearcats at 6-of-14 for the first 20 minutes. Ohio State was 2-for-8 on 3s and 9-for-15 from the line.
With both teams in the sun for the second half, there were some adjustments. The Bearcats clearly could see the rim better, at one time shooting at nearly a 70% clip. In the end UC outshot Ohio State 65% to 36% in the second half.
2. UC Bearcats length showed
Despite their early shooting woes, the Bearcats dominated the boards in the first half, 26-14. Adlan Elamin had six rebounds off the bench and David Iweze had five. UC played 11 guys in the first half, with the Buckeyes sending 10 to the court.
At game's end, UC had outrebounded the Buckeyes, 45-35. Adlan Elamin led UC with eight and Eric Mahaffey had seven.
3. Regardless of result, October games aren't factored in to NCAA tournament decisions
UC had a decisive win over Ohio State in 2024 and knocked off the 2026 NCAA national champion Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor last year. As fun as those wins may have been for fans, they were in the distant past by March.
Those Wes Miller teams finished with 18 and 19 wins, respectively and out of NCAA Tournament consideration.
Keep in mind, UC was minus MJ Collins (eligibility still being played out in court) and Javontae Campbell (foot injury). Between the two, they averaged over 35 points per game. Collins is a Utah State transfer and Campbell came from Bowling Green in early September.
Naismith Hall of Famer spotted at UC, OSU game
Scottie Pippen, famous for the Chicago Bulls world championship teams and the Dream Team, was spotted at the opener. Pippen's son Justin Pippen is an Ohio State starter.
Updated tip times for Cincinnati Bearcats
The next Cincinnati Bearcats exhibition is Oct. 17 against Illinois, which made it to last year's national semifinals. The tip time at Fifth Third Arena has been changed from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cincinnati Bearcats football plays earlier in the day at noon in Morgantown vs. West Virginia.
They've also announced tip times for the following games that will air on ESPN+:
Monday, Nov. 2 vs. American, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 5 vs. Green Bay, 7 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 9 vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18 vs. Youngstown State, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22 vs. UMass Lowell, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 2 vs. Monmouth, 7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 14 vs. Stetson, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 22 vs. Marist, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 29 vs. Bethune-Cookman, 5 p.m.
Tay Baker Celebration of Life
Tay Baker who coached both the Cincinnati Bearcats and Xavier Musketeers, died Sept. 24 at age 99. His Celebration of Life is Wednesday, Oct. 14, between 4 and 7 p.m. at Clovernook Country Club, 2035 Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45239.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Tylen Riley, Tyler Tejada lead UC Bearcats 2nd half comeback over OSU