Cincinnati Bearcats vs Southern Methodist Mustangs Box Score on Feb 27, 2019

Jarron Cumberland scored eight consecutive points down the stretch for No. 23 Cincinnati as the Bearcats survived 10 blocked shots and a horrid shooting night to grind out a 52-49 victory over host SMU Wednesday night in Dallas.

The Bearcats improved to 24-4, including 13-2 in the American Athletic Conference for their fourth win in a row. The loss drops SMU to 13-14, including 5-10 in conference.

The last 2:32 belonged to Cumberland, who up to that point had been having a forgettable game. But Cincy's leading scorer hit two jumpers and went 4-for-4 from the line down the stretch to secure the win.

Cumberland finished with just 12 points, well below his average, on 4-for-13 shooting. However, eight different players scored for Cincy to pick up the slack.

The Bearcats finished shooting 26.6 percent from the floor. However, they pulled down 50 rebounds, 21 offensive.

Jahmal McMurray led all scorers with 27 points, hitting six 3-pointers in the loss for SMU. Feron Hunt added six points to go with eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

SMU finished the first half on an 8-0 run to take a 28-22 lead into halftime.

McMurray paced the Mustangs with 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting, including two makes from behind the 3-point line.

SMU shot 44.4 percent for the half.

The Mustangs blocked eight Cincy shots, offsetting the 16 offensive rebounds by the Bearcats, who converted those into just 15 second-chance points.

Isiaha Mike led SMU with three blocks while also posting five points and four rebounds in the half.

But it was Cincinnati's cold shooting that led to the bevy of rebounds in the first place. The Bearcats started the game 1-for-11 from the floor and shot just 22.5 percent.

Cumberland didn't connect on his first field goal until 5:59 to go in the half and it would be his only basket. He shot 1-for-6 and 0-for-3 from deep. He did dish out three assists.

Justin Jenifer had six points to pace the Bearcats. Tre Scott pulled down eight rebounds -- four of them offensive -- and added four points.

Cincinnati returns home to play Memphis on Saturday while the Mustangs tangle with Wichita State in Dallas on Sunday.

--Field Level Media