Overview
- Cincinnati defeated American 79-53 on Monday, Nov. 2, turning a 35-33 halftime edge into a decisive second-half pullaway that decided the season opener.
- MJ Collins Jr. and Tyler Tejada led the Bearcats with 13 points each while Cincinnati used a deep rotation that produced heavy bench scoring.
- The Bearcats controlled the interior, outrebounding American 48-32 and outscoring the Eagles 40-14 in the paint while forcing numerous turnovers.
- Starter Jayden Hastings left early with a left-shoulder injury after a blocked shot and did not return, and his status is a developing roster concern ahead of upcoming games.
- The win is Calhoun's first at his alma mater and counts as career victory No. 298 as he begins rebuilding Cincinnati after stops including Utah State.