The Bearcats would hold a 39-28 at the under 16 media break, after Knights guard Darius Johnson would come out and score eight quick points to big some momentum to start the second half. However, the Bearcats were looking to see Viktor Lakhin go to work on Taylor Hendricks on the other end and Lakhin was making it look easy on the projected first round pick, Lakhin, had a quick six points to start the half, after being held to just two points in the first half.
The Bearcats kept their foot on the gas, as the Knights were now over 20 turnovers on the game after Phinisee steps in and takes a huge charge just before the under 12 media break. The Knights continued to hurt themselves with the turnovers and that’s been the difference maker in this one. The Bearcats would lead 43-31 as Viktor Lakhin, joined Landers Nolley and David DeJulius in double figures after an And-1 opportunity.
The Knights would slowly climb back in this one after consecutive threes from P.J Edwards that would make this a 49-43 game with just under eight minutes remaining. The Knights were slowly finding their momentum after a 12-2 run was stopped by a huge three from David DeJulius. Taylor Hendricks started to turn it on down the final stretch as he was continuing to show why he is a projected first round NBA Draft prospect as he made it hard for the Bearcats to stop the run down the stretch as the Bearcats held a 60-55 lead with just under three minutes remaining.
The Knights would tie this up after a Nolley turnover turned into a wide open three from C.J Kelly, followed by a P.J Edwards layup. The Knights were looking to complete the comeback, but Viktor Lakhin said otherwise after a huge and-1 made this a 63-60 game in favor of the Bearcats with under 90 seconds to play. The Bearcats would make this a 66-62 game following a huge three from DeJulius, that put him over 1,000 (1,002) points as a Bearcat. The Knights would have the chance to make this a one-point game after CJ Kelly was fouled on a three-point shot, but missed all three free throws, a huge, missed opportunity for the Knights.
The Bearcats would hold to defeat the Knights 73-64 as they pick up a huge quadrant two victory that can eventually hold weight at the end of the season. The Bearcats were led by Viktor Lakhin who finished with 20 points (18 in the second half) and eight rebounds. David DeJulius finished with 19 points and seven assists, as he eclipsed 1000 career points as a Bearcat after a huge three down the final stretch to seal the deal for the Bearcats. Landers Nolley chipped in with 17 points and five steals, as he continued to turn it up a notch here of late.
The Bearcats did all they could to contain Taylor Hendricks, a projected first round draft pick who finished with 21 points and eight rebounds. Hendricks, showed out with 18 scouts in attendance from 14 different NBA teams and defiantly showed why he is a projected first round draft pick of this upcoming NBA Draft. The matchup between Lakhin and Hendricks was a fun one to watch this afternoon that’s to say the least.
“I want to give him {Hendricks} credit, he’s a very great player,” said Bearcats forward Viktor Lakhin. “He made me work today, especially with his ability to drive as well as shoot. Of course, people are looking at him as a first round draft pick, however, I will make scouts look at me too.”
The Bearcats improve to (16-8, 7-4 AAC) on the season after picking up a massive quad two victory this afternoon. The Bearcats saw an opportunity to stay ahead of the Knights in the AAC standings and they got the job done here at Fifth Third Arena in front of a great environment.
“I am very pleased we won that game; you have to win games that sometimes don’t go your way, and at the end there it got a lot more interesting than I thought it needed to get,” said Wes Miller. “I am very pleased that we found a way, that is the most important quality of a good team, and we need to build off that.”
The Bearcats will be back in action This Tuesday at 7 pm when they travel to New Orleans, Louisiana to take on Ron Hunter and the Tulane Green Wave.
