The Cincinnati Bearcats and Northern Kentucky Norse got to play for the eighth time in both programs history on Tuesday. It was first time they have played since 1988. NKU allowed the Bearcats to use BB&T Arena last season while Fifth Third Arena was under renovation and now they are playing a home and home.
The first half was all Bearcats as they jumped out to a 45-28 lead by the half by just physically imposing their wills on the Norse. Star forward Drew McDonald was held to zero points in the first half. McDonald came in the game averaging 19.0 points per game. Tre Scott had a monster game and it started in the first 20 minutes of the game as he had 14 points on 2-of-4 from the field, 10-of-10 from the line, eight rebounds, two assists and a block. The Bearcats outrebounded the Norse 28-12 in the first frame. Justin Jenifer had a nice birthday as he came out 3-of-3 from the field, 2-of-2 from three for eight points. Keith Williams had six points and three rebounds in nine minutes.
In the second half the Bearcats played sloppy at times allowing the Norse to get the game within 12, but the Bearcats were too much in the paint as they made McDonald work hard on the defensive end and they cruised to a 13 point victory.
Scott finished with a career high 22 points, 10 rebounds and a career high 12-of-13 from the line. Jarron Cumberland had 12 points and five assists. Jenifer finished with 10 points and three assists. Williams finished with 10 points and four rebounds. Nysier Brooks had 10 points and three blocks.
McDonald finished with eight points on 3-of-15 from the field, eight rebounds and four turnovers. Tyler Sharpe led the Norse with 16 points on 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-7 from three. The Norse are now 8-2 with their only losses coming from teams in the AAC (Cincinnati and UCF).
With the 78-65 win the Bearcats are now 8-1 with an eight game winning streak and will welcome Xavier into Fifth Third Arena on Saturday for the Crosstown Shootout.
