HEMPSTEAD, New York – Due to previously scheduled floor replacement work at the Fifth Third Arena, the No. 4 Cincinnati Bearcats played a road game in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at Hofstra University.
The Bearcats finished Hofstra’s season with a 79-65 victory to move to 23-12 and advance to the NIT quarterfinals. Hofstra finishes 25-10. It was only the second home loss of the season.
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The Pride defeated No. 1 seed Rutgers 88-86 in overtime Tuesday to earn their first home game since their Senior Day on February 25.
Ody Oguama had a double-double for the Bearcats with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Four others were in double digits, as Landers Nolley II had 20, Viktor Lakhin 16 and David DeJulius 15. Lakhin had eight rebounds and DeJulius nine assists.
Aaron Estrada led Hofstra with 18 points.
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UC advances to NIT Quarterfinals vs. the winner of No. 3 seed Colorado vs. Utah Valley, which will be played Sunday at 9:30 p.m. The Buffaloes defeated Seton Hall in the first round, with Utah Valley eliminating No. 2 seed New Mexico. That game is Tuesday or Wednesday. Again with Fifth Third Arena unavailable, UC would be on the way.
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FINAL UC 79, Hofstra 65
3:48 left, UC 15 up and on the line
Viktor Lakhin will be on the line outside the time-out. The Bearcats lead 73-58. Ody Oguama has 14 points and 10 rebounds. UC only lost once when they had someone with a double-double. DeJulius has 15 points and nine assists. UC has made 7 of their last 8 recordings.
Media timeout with 7:18 left
UC’s first hit triple of the half comes off Mika Adams-Woods to give UC their biggest lead at 66-53. UC has four in double digits and Adams-Woods has eight. They closed last Wednesday against Virginia Tech, they will need that same effort here.
9:22 left, Bearcats with 10
Jeremiah Davenport’s first points of the game come on a driving layup that puts UC at 61-51. Oddly, only four treys were taken by both teams this half and they all missed. UC 3-of-12 on the day and outgoing Hofstra 32-20.
Media timeout with 13:18 left, UC up 6
Landers Nolley II goes to the line for a couple out of timeout. Kalu Ezikpe checked in for his first work and Mika Adams-Woods came in with three fouls. Nolley has 16 to lead all scorers. The Bearcats led for nearly 38 seconds of this game.
First timeout of the second half, 16:11 to go
UC leads Hofstra 48-41. Board domination continues at 26-15 and David DeJulius continues to find Viktor Lakhin. Big Vik with nine now and Ody Oguama added eight points and nine rebounds. Hofstra hit the first bucket of the half to cut the lead to 40-39. UC on an 8-2 run since then.
HALFTIME: UC leads at Hofstra 40-37
Viktor Lakhin misses the pick and roll that would have put the Bearcats at five.
Landers Nolley II and David DeJulius each have 11 points, Ody Oguama has eight points and seven rebounds. UC dominates on boards 23-10. The Bearcats shoot 51.6% but only 3-of-9 on treys. Hofstra shoots 44.4% but has made 6-of-11 triples. Tyler Thomas has 14 and Darlinstone Dubar has 11. Leading scorer Aaron Estrada has nine. The Bearcats are 20-4 if they lead at halftime, 19-2 if they have the rebound advantage.
3:42 left in the first half, timeout
Darlinstone Dubar tied the game with a 3-pointer as Hofstra ran 6-0. It’s all tied at 31. Landers Nolley II hasn’t scored in nearly eight minutes. DeJulius 11 for UC, Tyler Thomas 10 for Hofstra. Bearcats only 1-for-7 on treys, the Pride 5-for-9.
Media timeout, 6:43 first half
A 3-shot foul on Jeremiah Davenport so Hofstra shoots out of this. UC’s lead is 28-22. The Bearcats are up to nine. Nolley and DeJulius eight points each. A 17-6 rebounding advantage for the Bearcats as Oguama has seven.
Media timeout, 11:17 first half
Dan Skillings Jr. with a foul to send Aaron Estrada to the line after the timeout. UC leads 22-13. UC’s Nolley has eight, Oguama and DeJulius six each. Oguama has five boards and the Bearcats beat Hofstra there 13-4. UC’s 5 of their last 7 field goals.
Media timeout 15:52 first half
A pretty good start for the Bearcats who lead 10-5 and went on a 6-0 run. David DeJulius with some buckets and Nolley goes 4-for-4 from the free throw line to get Hofstra defenders airborne. UC has a 6-2 rebounding lead. Oguama with three to start.
Player intros
UC is in white. Hofstra in blue. Hofstra 11-1 this season in their building. I spoke to Landers Nolley II’s mom and Dan Skillings Jr. today. has family here too. Nolle’s mom flew in from Atlanta.