Instant Analysis: UC 56 Houston 55
ORLANDO- Fla. – Gary Clark had a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead No. 7 ranked Cincinnati (30-4) to a 56-55 victory over Houston (26-7) and earn the Aaron’s American Athletic Conference Championship Sunday afternoon at Amway Center. It is the first league tournament title for Cincinnati since 2004 (Conference USA).
Jacob Evans III had 12 points and six rebounds and Kyle Washington, who was named to the all-tournament team, added 10 points and five rebounds for the Bearcats.
Rob Gray had 17 points and five assists for Houston but committed a turnover late in the game that cost the Cougars a chance at a last second shot. Corey Davis Jr. had 15 points (all in the first half) and Devin Davis added 13 points.
BearcatReport.com was at the game and here is our Instant Analysis:
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Houston had the ball with four seconds to play but needed to go the length of the court to score. Gray receive the in-bounds pass and attempted to pass the ball to Galen Robinson, Jr. but threw it behind Robinson and the ball sailed out of bounds with one second on the clock.
HE STOLE THE SHOW: Clark, the league’s player and defensive player of the year, recorded his 12th double-double this season and 30th of his career. His 20 points came on just eight field goal attempts. Clark also had two assists and one block. He was named to the all-tournament team and was named the most outstanding player of the AAC Championship.
THE STAT DOESN’T LIE: Second chance points were huge in this game and the Bearcats dominated in that stat by a margin of 17-4.
WHAT A PLAY: With ten seconds left in the first half, Jacob Evans missed a corner three. Houston failed to box out Clark who came down the lane, elevated to catch the miss and slam it home to bring the Bearcats within two-points at 37-35.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Cincinnati wins the AAC Championship and has now won at least 30 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history. The Bearcats earn the league’s automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament and deserve a No. 2 seed.