How it Happened
The Bearcats took an early 11-7 lead over Easten Washington at the under 16 media breaks following a seven to zero run after a John Newman made three. Viktor Lakhin recorded the Bearcats first six points of the afternoon and was looking to be a huge problem inside early for the Eagles. The Bearcats would keep pouring it on the Eagles early as that seven-point run, quickly doubled as the Eagles just simply couldn’t buy a basket as they went 1 for their last 11 after starting 3-of-6 on the afternoon. The Bearcats controlled a 18-7 lead with 10:55 remaining but the Eagles knew they had to get something going offensively after the timeout or it would be a long afternoon.
The Eagles eight-minute scoring drought would end after Casey Jones converted on two free throws in hopes to spark some momentum for the Eagles on the offensive end. However, Cedric Coward would knock down a corner three that would cut the Bearcats lead to single digits but still trailed 20-12 with 7:55 remaining in the first half.
The Eagles would cut the Bearcats lead to three after a huge made three pointers from Andre Mulibea from the top of the key. However, the Eagles rallied back despite trailing by as much as 12 points as the Bearcats had plenty of opportunities to put this game out of reach early but just simply couldn’t finish at the rim as they missed seven wide open layups in the first 15 minutes of play.
Jizzle James would set the tone for the Bearcats late in the first half after putting his defender in a spin cycle for the easy layup that would spark a personal five point run for the true freshman. John Newman would then come down in bury a three to extend the Bearcats lead to 8, as they led the Eagles 38-30 with 23 seconds left in the first half.
The Bearcats would call a timeout to set up one final play before the half with an opportunity to take a ten-point lead to the break. However, the play broke down after Day Day Thomas splits the defense and comes inches away from throwing down arguably the best poster in Cincinnati history, but just missed off the back of the rim. However, that was an insane display of athleticism from the juco product.
The Bearcats led the Eagles 38-30 at the break following a huge first half from true freshman Jizzle James as he led the Bearcats in scoring with nine points. Viktor Lakhin also recorded eight points and three rebounds, while Dan Skillings had seven points and four rebounds. The Bearcats had plenty of opportunities to extend their led but just couldn’t convert at the rim early.
The Eagles would look to push the tempo as Cedric Coward beat the Bearcats defense back for the wide-open layup for the three-point play to cut the Bearcats lead to 5. However, the Eagles would find themselves in early foul trouble to start the second half after Ethan Price picked up his fourth foul with 15 minutes to play. Jizzle James would record his 11th point of the afternoon after forcing a turnover, driving hard and forcing a foul on the other end, as the freshman has now recorded double digit scoring performances in the Bearcats last two games.
The Bearcats would continue to establish the ball inside with Price out in foul trouble, as Viktor Lakhin would extend the Bearcats lead to 15 after scoring eight straight for the Bearcats. The Eagles would shoot just 1 for 8 from the field since Price picked up his 4th foul at the 15 minute mark, allowing the Bearcats to play to their advantage inside.
Viktor Lakhin would simply take over the second half as he would start the second half 5-of-5 for 15 points after knocking down a three that extended the Bearcats lead to 14, leading 69-55 with 8 minutes to play. The Eagles just simply had no answer for Lakhin and the Bearcats just let the big man go to work inside. Lakhin became the Bearcats spark in this one, which is a great sight to see especially with the waiver news regarding Aziz Bandaogo and Jamille Reynolds.
Dane Erikstrup would cut the Bearcats lead to single digits (8) with 5 minutes to play following a made three point shot. Viktor Lakhin would respond with a three pointer of his own and would silence the Eagles forcing a timeout trailing 75-62.
The Bearcats would defeat the Eagles 85-73 following a career high 26 points and 11 rebounds on an efficient shooting night going 9-of-12 from the field. The Bearcats now improve to 3-0 on the season for the third straight season.
Up Next
The Bearcats now have a week off to prepare for rival Northern Kentucky as the Bearcats will look to avenge last season’s loss to the Norse on Sunday at 2 pm at Fifth Third Arena.
