Well, there goes the momentum. After rattling off four wins in a row, Cincinnati dropped an ugly one at Temple 70-61 on New Year’s Day. Thankfully it’s the last time they will have to play at Temple for the foreseeable future.

This game was essentially lost at the end of the first half. Cincinnati led 27-20. Temple ended the half on a 17-2 to take an eight point lead into the locker room. It was a brutal combination of stagnant offense and defensive breakdowns.

Nine assists are not going to get the job done. They had 20 assists in the win over Tulane. When the ball stops and this team plays iso-ball, opposing defenses will lick their chops.

Getting out-rebounded 46-28 by a team like Houston would be somewhat understandable. But to be minus-18 on the glass to a Temple team without its best rebounder is just inexcusable. It shouldn’t happen. It can’t happen. That falls on everyone.

This team is nowhere close to being good enough defensively to withstand two separate lengthy scoring droughts, especially on the road. One made basket in the final seven minutes of the first half is beyond frustrating.

Landers Nolley II is starting to find some consistency as a scorer. Sunday marked five straight games in double figures. Landers has been very efficient as well on the season shooting 47 percent from the field, 43 percent from three, and 82 percent from the foul line.

Credit to Shoey once again for another solid showing. He tried to keep the Bearcats in the game with an 11-point showing.

David DeJulius started off on a high but struggled in the second half a bit. He missed a few open ones but also took some uncharacteristically tough shots.

I’ve spent multiple posts talking about how much I love Viktor Lakhin. I do, but the best ability is availability and the consistent foul trouble he finds himself in will need to get cleaned up. Three first-half fouls really put this front-court in a difficult spot.

I feel for Dan Skillings Jr. I thought he’d have a big role in this one to try to match Temple’s length, but he went just 1-6 from the floor including missing a few from point-blank range in his homecoming.

This was a disheartening performance. I really hope the poor play on the road doesn’t become a theme for the season because I expect more from this bunch. A trip to the Roundhouse in Wichita on Thursday night awaits.

Game Ball:

Landers Nolley II (3)

Featured Image: UC Athletics