Ohio State ran it back.
A year after going on the road and topping Cincinnati, 64-56, in the first game at a newly renovated Fifth Third Arena, the Buckeyes returned home to the Schottenstein Center on Wednesday night to welcome the Bearcats to the 2019-20 season by handing out another defeat by the same score on Wednesday night.
An ugly first 20 minutes full of missed shots on both sides went Cincinnati's way, with the Bearcats entering halftime with a 26-19 lead. The Buckeyes rebounded, though, to grab the lead with a pair of free throws from CJ Walker just 3:05 into the second half.