Jizzle James scored 16 points in his first start since his return to lead Cincinnati to a 89-62 rout of Lipscomb Monday night in Cincinnati.
Baba Miller had another powerful all-around game, falling just three assists shy of Cincinnati’s first triple-double in 20 seasons. Miller grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds to go with 11 points and seven assists. Miller’s previous high of 17 rebounds came on Dec. 5 against cross-town rival Xavier.
Another Cincinnati big man, Moustapha Thiam, added a team-high 18 points for the Bearcats (8-5), who wrapped up their Big 12 nonconference schedule with just their second win in five games.
James, who was a mainstay as a starter last season, was removed from the roster over the summer. He returned against Alabama State on Dec. 17 and came off the bench to score 10 points in a loss to Clemson on Dec. 21, prompting head coach Wes Miller to promote him to the starting lineup Monday.
Ross Candelino had a career-high 20 points and eight rebounds while Grant Asman had nine points for Lipscomb (7-6), which also concluded its nonconference slate before opening Atlantic Sun play on Thursday against Jacksonville.
James provided energy and hustle in 25 minutes, highlighted by a 3-pointer midway through the first half followed by a steal, loose ball scramble and a layup and foul, putting Cincinnati up, 32-18. The five points were part of a 10-0 run by the Bearcats, who finished the first half on a 7-0 spurt for a 44-24 halftime lead.
The seven straight points turned into a 13-0 run as the Bearcats scored the first six points of the second half to open up a 50-24 advantage.
Kerr Kriisa, who had started Cincinnati’s first 12 games, responded to being moved to the bench for James by hitting his first three 3-point shots for nine early points. Cincinnati made 8-of-16 attempts from 3-point range in the first half. Kriisa finished with 15 points.
Kriisa’s sharp-shooting display helped the Bearcats erase an early 7-1 hole that prompted a Miller timeout and boos from the Cincinnati fans. After trailing by six, the Bearcats outscored the Bisons, 23-6, to take command of the game. James and Kriisa had nine points apiece in the first half.
