BACK-TO BACK! CINCINNATI DOWNS HOUSTON TO CLAIM 2019 AIR FORCE RESERVE AMERICAN ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP! - Mar 18, 2019
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Cincinnati got a title-game record 33 points from Most Outstanding Player Jarron Cumberland (6'5''-G-97) as the No. 24/23 Bearcats downed No. 11/10 Houston, 69-57 to win the 2019 Air Force Reserve American Athletic Conference Championship. UC is the first back-to-back champion in league history and just the second team to win two titles. Cincinnati never trailed in the contest as the Bearcats took an early 5-2 lead and never looked back. Cumberland led way as UC was able to avenge two regular-season losses to the Cougars, including the season finale in which Houston claimed the regular season title. Cumberland went 11-of-24 from the field and 10-of-13 from the line with a game-high eight rebounds. In the second half, Cincinnati put the ball in his hands and he responded with 20 second-half points. That was coupled with a Cincinnati defense that held the Cougars to 27.8 percent shooting after halftime, including Houston converting only 3-of-18 shots from outside the arc. Houston got in trouble early in the second half when two quick fouls sent forward Breaon Brady (6'7''-F) to the bench with four fouls. About the same time, Fabian White Jr. (6'7''-F-98) went to the bench holding his right wrist. Cumberland, who was limited to only 11 points in a semifinal win over Wichita State, had surpassed that at halftime with 13. After halftime, the conference player of the year took over the game as the Bearcats extended the lead. Cane Broome (6'0''-PG-94) came off the bench and had 15 points with three 3-pointers for Cincinnati. Tre Scott (6'8''-F-96) joined him in double-digit points (13) and tied a game-high with eight rebounds. Armoni Brooks (6'3''-G) (17 points) and Corey Davis (6'1''-PG) (12 points) each hit double-figure scoring but Houston was held to just 31-percent from the field and 24-percent from beyond the arc. The Bearcats were awarded a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Championship field and will take on No. 10 Iowa in Columbus, Ohio. Houston earned a No. 3 seed and will face No. 14 Georgia State in Tulsa, Okla. Additionally, UCF is a No. 9 against No. 8 VCU in Columbia, S.C., and Temple will be part of the First Four in the No. 11 game against Belmont in Dayton, Ohio.
All-Tournament MVP: Jarron Cumberland (6'5''-G-97) of Cincinnati Player of the Year: Jarron Cumberland (6'5''-G-97) of Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year: LaQuincy Rideau (6'1''-PG-96) of S.Florida Freshman of the Year: Alexis Yetna (6'8''-F-97) of S.Florida Most Improved Player of the Year: Josh Carlton (6'10''-F-99) of Connecticut Most Improved Player of the Year: Nate Pierre-Louis (6'4''-G) of Temple Sixth Man of the Year: Dejon Jarreau (6'4''-G-98) of Houston Sportsmanship Award: Galen Robinson (6'0''-PG) of Houston Coach of the Year: Kelvin Sampson of Houston
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