The Cincinnati Bearcats started off their basketball season on Monday evening at Fifth Third Arena against the UIC Flames. The starting five for the ‘Cats: Day Day Thomas, John Newman, Simas Lukosius, Ody Oguama and Viktor Lakhin.
In the first half, UIC kept the game close, getting to the rim and making timely shots. UC gave themselves some room with a 9-0 run to take a 26-18 lead with 7:03 in the half. The highlight of the run was a nice baseline drive that Newman finished with a two hand double pump finish. UC would play a little sloppy in the next segment with two turnovers, one by Jizzle James and the other by Ody Oguama. UC finished the half with a 10-4 run that was highlighted by C.J. Fredrick’s third 3 of the half. UC went into the half with a 40-30 lead.
Fredrick had 11 points on 4-of-5 from the field and 3-of-4 from 3, Dan Skillings, Ody Oguama and Viktor Lakhin all have four rebounds and Day Day Thomas is second in scoring with seven points.
UC had a different starting lineup to start the second half: Day Day Thomas, John Newman, Simas Lukosius, C.J. Fredrick and Viktor Lakhin.
After starting a little sluggish, UC got it back in gear and the person who seemed to be spearheading the charge was Day Day Thomas who had a nice steal and dunk to make the Fifth Third Arena go crazy. Cincinnati went on a 9-0 run to give them a 52-38 lead with 11:36 left in the half. UC wouldn’t be in any danger the rest of the way as they wrapped up the victory, 69-58.
Thomas led the way with 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Fredrick went 0-of-3 in the second half so he finished with 11 points, and Skillings finished with 13 points and a game high eight rebounds. Ody Oguama and Viktor Lakhin also had eight rebounds a piece.
On Friday, UC will face Detroit Mercy at Fifth Third Arena at 7 pm.
