(BCSNN) — Day Day Thomas big day day, scoring a season-high 20 points — including a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line — to lead Cincinnati past regional rival Dayton 74–62 Tuesday night at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats improved to 3–0, while the Flyers dropped to 2–1.

Thomas added five assists and helped Cincinnati withstand a second-half surge from Dayton, which trimmed the lead to two with 9:32 remaining. The Bearcats responded with a 12–2 run, capped by a Kerr Kriisa three-pointer and a Baba Miller dunk, to push the lead back to double digits and ignite the home crowd.

Freshman Shon Abaev added 14 points, including two key three-pointers and a late slam that helped seal the win. Cincinnati held Dayton to just 32.3% shooting from the field and 7.7% (2-for-26) from beyond the arc, while dominating the glass 43–33.

The Bearcats opened the game with a 17–4 run and led by as many as 18 in the first half. Despite committing 24 turnovers, Cincinnati’s defense held firm, limiting the Flyers to 24.1% shooting in the opening 20 minutes and maintaining control throughout.

Amael L’Etang led Dayton with 14 points. The Flyers used a pair of second-half runs to stay within striking distance but couldn’t overcome Cincinnati’s defensive pressure and timely scoring.

Head coach Wes Miller praised his team’s resilience: “Sometimes the best wins are when you can’t make a shot, you can’t throw it in the ocean, and you still find a way.”

Coming up next for the Bearcats, Cincinnati will wrap up its four-game homestand Sunday at 6 p.m. ET against Mount St. Mary’s.