This afternoon, the Bearcats (2-0) welcomed in Eastern Kentucky University (1-1) to Fifth Third Arena as the Bearcats looked to remain perfect to start the season. The Bearcats would look to do it through without forward John Newman, who would miss his second consecutive game with injury.
The Bearcats would jump out to an early 8-0 lead following five quick points from Jeremiah Davenport, as the senior swingman came out firing to get the Bearcats going early. The Bearcats would jump out to a huge 22-7 lead over EKU as David DeJulius and Landers Nolley started to get going, as the Bearcats were shooting 45% from the field through the first eight minutes.
The Colonels would settle in as they held the Bearcats scoreless for nearly four minutes before the Bearcats offense started to heat up. Davenport would continue to light it up from deep as the junior guard who had a quick 10 points after a triple sparked a 9-0 scoring as the Bearcats knocked down three straight triples to take a huge 35-15 lead over the Colonels. The Bearcats were shooting nearly 46% from behind the arch, while 44% from the field through the first 15 minutes as everything seemed to be falling for the Bearcats early.
The Bearcats would take a huge 49-34 lead heading into halftime as they shot nearly 40% from the floor behind huge first halves from Davenport and DeJulius. Davenport finished with 14 points, while DeJulius contributed a quiet 10 points. The Colonels just had no answer for the Bearcats size and athleticism as the Bearcats outrebounded the Colonels 29-16 in the first half, (14-2) on the offensive end. The Bearcats took an early lead and never looked back, and if they continued to shoot like they did in the first half here this afternoon throughout the season they would be a very tough team to defend.
The Colonels would come out firing to start the second half after an early nine-point run cut the Bearcats lead to single digits where the Bearcats led 62-55 with 12 minutes remaining after a slow start by the Bearcats to start the second half. The Colonels weren’t shying aways as they would cut the Bearcats lead to 6 as they trailed 73-67 with just under six minutes remaining after a huge three by Cooper Robb.
The Bearcats would hold on to defeat the Colonels 87-69 despite a late run by the Colonels. The Bearcats would share the ball around as they saw five players score in double digits in the win. The Bearcats were led by guard David DeJulius who finished with a game high 22 points. Jeremaih Davenport had arguably his best game of the season as he finished with 19 points. Jarrett Hensley had his biggest game of the season as he finished with 11 points, three rebounds and two blocks. The Bearcats made their presence known on the glass as they outrebounded the Colonels 51-35 after a huge day by Ody Oguama who finished with a game high 12 rebounds in the teams 87-69 victory.
The Bearcats improve to 3-0 on the season as they prepare for action vs Northern Kentucky (1-1) this Wednesday at 7 pm as the Bearcats travel to Truist Arena.
