Cincinnati basketball fans had plenty to cheer about this week as the University of Cincinnati Bearcats opened their 2026–27 season with an exciting outdoor exhibition victory, rallying in the second half to defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes 79–68 in the CareSource Invitational Exhibition.
The game, played outdoors as part of the CareSource Invitational, gave Bearcat faithful an early look at the team under head coach Jerrod Calhoun. Cincinnati trailed at some point in the contest but found another gear after halftime, outplaying Ohio State down the stretch to seal the 11-point win.
Coach Calhoun and members of the team took time after the final buzzer to recap the performance, reflecting on the second-half surge that powered the victory. The exhibition served as the official tip-off to the new college basketball season, giving players valuable game experience and giving fans a first taste of what the Bearcats could bring to the Big 12 this year.
The outdoor setting of the CareSource Invitational added a festive, community-event feel to the occasion, making it a memorable early-season moment for Cincinnati basketball. With the win in the books, momentum is building ahead of the regular season, and Bearcat supporters are already buzzing about the team’s potential.
Sources: 247Sports, Sports Illustrated
