After dog walking No. 14 Illinois yesterday, they got to play No. 12 Arkansas in the Hall of Fame Classic Championship Game. Would Cincinnati be able to capture the Hall of Fame Classic Championship?
This game didn’t start like yesterday’s game as the Bearcats stayed within close contact. Mika Adams-Woods got into early foul trouble with three fouls, but David DeJulius stepped up with a team high seven points in the first half. Cincinnati took a 30-26 lead into the half. It was a group effort.
In second half would the Bearcats be able to hold on? DeJulius game up huge with 24 points on 8-of-16 from the field, he and Mike Saunders hit a lot of big shots, but Au’Dise Toney and Chris Lykes matched their effort. Jeremiah Davenport missed a big layup when the Bearcats were down 1 point that could’ve given them the lead, but it wasn’t meant to be as after that Arkansas held on to win 73-67.
Arkansas out rebounded Cincinnati, 46 to 32, they also won the offensive rebound battle 18-to-6. You add the rebounding, plus Arkansas being able to hold Davenport to zero points and it added up to a Cincinnati loss. Ody Oguama led the Bearcats on the boards with 10, with four of those being on the offensive class.
Even with Davenport not having a great game and Cincinnati not securing the glass this team showed they are a very good team and can play with top tier competition. Now sitting at 5-1, Cincinnati will face Monmouth on Saturday at 2 pm at Fifth Third Arena.
