The Bearcats would turn it up a notch out of the break cutting the Tigers lead to single digits after a Nolley layup, but the Tigers would fight back. Memphis forced three straight turnovers after Ody Oguama picked up his third foul in the opening seconds of the second half, forcing three turnovers, as they led the Bearcats 47-37 with 14:49 remaining. The Bearcats would climb back, after two huge stops on the defensive end resulted in two dunks from Oguama, that would spark a 6 point run for the Bearcats. The Tigers would keep their foot on the gas as DeAndre Williams continued to get whatever he wanted inside for the Tigers as he had a game high 19, as the Tigers led 54-43.
The Bearcats would get the run they needed, but turnovers continued to be a problem on this one, as Tigers ball pressure continued to be a problem this afternoon. The Bearcats would find themselves trailing 60-47 following a Williams alley-oop off the turnover, as it seemed every time the Bearcats came within striking distance turnovers piled on. The Bearcats responded well with a six point run following a Davenport three to make this a 63-55 game with 7:40 remaining. Landers Nolley was starting to turn it up a notch like he did in overtime vs Temple, could he repeat that here this afternoon in a game the Bearcats need him the most, we will find out.
The Bearcats would trail 68-61 with 3:54 remaining at Fedex Forum, but the Bearcats have had no quit in them this afternoon despite the near 20 turnovers. The Bearcats were looking to dig deep and find a way to come back here late versus the Tigers. A game that the Bearcats knows means so much, as Wes Miller has not won versus the Tigers since being named head coach of the Bearcats in 2021. The Bearcats got the game within four with 28 seconds left following a DeJulius layup, then forced a Kendric Davis turnover sparking the Bearcats momentum as they looked to come back on the road. The Bearcats had an opportunity to get a loose a and tie this one up, but couldn’t fall on it quick enough, setting the Tigers up for two free throws to seal the deal, we thought. Viktor Lakhin would bank in a three, with 0.4 left to make this a 74-73 game with 0.4 seconds left, before Davis knocked in to give the Tigers a 76-73 lead.
The Bearcats could have rolled over but instead they fought until the very end, and that shows the kind of team Wes Miller and company have built here at Cincinnati. The Bearcats were plagued by turnovers, as they turned the ball over 20 times compared to the Tigers eight, which was easily the difference maker this afternoon at Fedex Forum. The Bearcats found their stride in the second half, like they have in most cases this season, outscoring the Tigers 43-35 after trailing by 11 at the half. However, the Bearcats fell just short, but that is a very good Memphis team with a load of experience between guys like Kendric Davis and DeAndre Williams, each who have played five or more seasons of college basketball. Davis (22) and Williams (21) combined for nearly 57% of the Tigers points here this afternoon in the win, while David DeJulius finished with a team high 16 points, six rebounds, six assists for the Bearcats.
Landers Nolley, had a huge second half in his 1st return to Memphis since transferring this offseason, as he finished with 13 points, six rebounds. Nolley, spent his last two seasons here in Memphis, knew the environment was going to be pretty hostile, unlike some other places the Bearcats have played this season. “I think sometimes you have to take a step back and realize {Nolley} is a passionate person with a big heart, who cares a lot about Memphis,” Miller said. “He spent two years of his life here in Memphis, He cares a lot about this University, this program. I have noticed that both times we have played that it has affected him because he cares about both programs.”
From Wes Miller
“The resilience this team responded with in the second half is something I am very proud of,” said Miller. “I thought they really fought through the second half, no matter the situation, it didn’t feel like that in the first half. The response this team had in the second half is something you are proud of, you want to grow and not put yourself in that position. This team is admirable in the way they handle things, we put our backs in the corner, we will respond, that is something I have been very proud with of date. We have to find a way to not put our backs in the corner with things we can control, certainly the turnovers, and ability to handle pressure. We handled mistakes as a team collectively as a team, a lot better in the second half which allowed us to come back in the game. I think we have proven we can play with anyone; I think we can play with everybody. We have to be able to grow and get over the hump to beat anyone and everybody, I think we are capable of that.”
The Bearcats still sit in 4th in the AAC standings following the game this afternoon, but the Bearcats have a huge opportunity to gather a three seed heading into the AAC Tournament since the Shockers beat Tulane earlier this afternoon. The Bearcats now sit (19-11, 10-7 AAC) on the season as they now have a week off to prepare for their final regular season game as they welcome SMU to Fifth Third Arena this Sunday at 2 pm for Senior Day.
