CINCINNATI (Interstat) — Cincinnati defeated Iowa State 79-70 in a Big 12 men’s basketball game Saturday at Fifth Third Arena, overcoming a 34-point performance from the Cyclones’ Milan Momcilovic.

The Bearcats, led by Day Day Thomas’s 19 points, used a 44-point second half to pull away after leading 35-31 at halftime. Cincinnati’s defense forced 12 turnovers and held Iowa State to just four assists. The Cyclones shot 43.1% from the field but were outscored 44-39 after the break. Attendance was 10,551.

Iowa State fell to 16-2. Cincinnati improved to 10-8.