Cincinnati Bearcats Defeat Utah Utes in Big 12 Matchup

Bearcats rally in final minutes to win 69-65 at home

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Cincinnati Bearcats secured their third straight Big 12 conference win by defeating the Utah Utes 69-65 in a Sunday afternoon matchup. Down 65-60 with under two minutes remaining, the Bearcats scored nine unanswered points to clinch the victory in front of nearly 10,000 fans at their home arena.

Why it matters

This win continues the Bearcats' strong start to their inaugural Big 12 season, as they look to establish themselves as a contender in the new conference. The comeback victory also showcases the team's resilience and ability to win close games down the stretch.

The details

The Bearcats trailed the Utes 65-60 with 1:56 left in the game, but scored nine straight points to pull out the 69-65 win. Key plays in the final minutes included a three-pointer by sophomore guard Jalen Robinson and a go-ahead layup by senior forward Elijah Weaver with 30 seconds remaining.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • The Bearcats were down 65-60 with 1:56 left in the game.

The players

Jalen Robinson

A sophomore guard for the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Elijah Weaver

A senior forward for the Cincinnati Bearcats.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to dig deep and make some plays to come back and win this one. I'm proud of the fight our team showed in the final minutes.”

— Elijah Weaver, Senior Forward (Cincinnati.com)

What’s next

The Bearcats will look to continue their Big 12 success when they host the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, February 21.

The takeaway

Cincinnati's comeback victory over Utah demonstrates the team's ability to win close games, a valuable trait as they compete in their first Big 12 season and aim to establish themselves as a conference contender.