Heartbreak is a familiar neighbor in the Queen City, but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow when the buzzer sounds. If you were looking for a Cincinnati score today on TV, you likely caught the tail end of a weekend that felt like a punch to the gut for local fans.
The big story right now? The Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball team just dropped a literal nail-biter against No. 25 UCF. We're talking a 73-72 final score that was decided in the literal final seconds of the game. It happened Sunday night on ESPN2, but the fallout is what everyone is talking about today, Monday, January 12.
Honestly, it’s the kind of game that keeps a coach up at night.
The Cincinnati Score Today on TV: Breaking Down the Bearcats Loss
The Bearcats (8-8) went into Orlando desperate for a Big 12 win. They almost had it. They really did. Sophomore center Moustapha Thiam—who actually transferred from UCF—dropped a career-high 24 points against his former team. Talk about a revenge narrative. He was dominant in the paint, especially during a late 8-2 run that put Cincinnati ahead 72-71 with just 30 seconds left on the clock.
But then, Themus Fulks happened.
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UCF's point guard hit a 15-foot jumper with 11 seconds remaining to reclaim the lead for the Knights. Cincinnati had one last gasp. Jizzle James drove the lane, kicked it out to Jalen Celestine on the wing, and... in and out. The ball literally rattled the rim and bounced away as time expired.
Why the Numbers Don't Tell the Whole Story
Looking at the box score, you see a team that is better than its 0-3 conference start suggests. They are shooting the lights out from some spots but struggling where it matters most.
- The 3-point Problem: Cincinnati is currently last in the Big 12 in 3-point percentage (31.1%).
- The Volume Issue: Despite the poor percentage, they take 28.5 attempts per game. That is the second-most in the conference.
- The Silver Lining: Baba Miller is playing like a monster. He’s averaging 10.6 rebounds a game, which is second in the Big 12 and top ten in the nation.
Basically, they are a few made shots away from being a ranked team, but "almost" doesn't show up in the standings.
What Happened to the Bengals?
If you're looking for the Bengals' score, I have some bad news. Their season officially ended on January 4, 2026, in a way that felt fittingly tragic. They lost 20-18 to the Cleveland Browns.
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It was a rough year for Joe Burrow and company, finishing at 6-11. The final game saw Myles Garrett break the NFL single-season sack record (23 sacks) right in the Bengals' faces. A last-second field goal by Cleveland's Andre Szmyt as time expired sealed the deal.
Since the Bengals missed the playoffs, they aren't on TV today. The NFL "Monday Night Football" slot for the Wild Card round features the Houston Texans at the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you're a local fan, you're probably just watching to see who wins the AFC North's representative spot, but there’s no orange and black on the field tonight.
Where to Watch Cincinnati Sports Next
So, what is actually on the schedule? If you missed the Cincinnati score today on TV and want to know when to tune in next, mark your calendar for Wednesday, January 14.
The Bearcats return home to Fifth Third Arena to host Colorado. This is actually a big deal because it’s the first time Colorado has visited Cincinnati in the Big 12 era. History says Cincy has the upper hand—they lead the all-time series 8-1—but given how this season is going, nothing is guaranteed.
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Watching the Next Matchup
- Date: Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- TV/Streaming: Peacock (Exclusive)
- Radio: 700 WLW
It’s kind of a bummer that it’s tucked away on a streaming service, but that's the modern Big 12 for you.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're following the Bearcats' trajectory, the next few weeks are make-or-break. Here is what you should do to stay ahead:
- Check the Big 12 Standings: Watch how Houston and Iowa State perform this week. Cincinnati needs a "strength of schedule" boost if they hope to climb back into the NIT or NCAA bubble conversation.
- Monitor Moustapha Thiam’s Usage: He’s clearly becoming the focal point of the offense. If his volume stays high, the Bearcats become a much more dangerous inside-out team.
- Redsfest is Coming: If the winter sports are getting you down, the Cincinnati Reds are hosting Redsfest this Friday and Saturday (Jan 16-17) at the newly renovated convention center. Tickets are already on sale.
The heartbreak of a 73-72 loss is real, but in the Big 12, there’s always another chance to play spoiler just 48 hours away. Keep an eye on the defensive rotations; if they can close out on shooters better than they did against UCF, that Wednesday game against Colorado might actually end with a "W."