This afternoon the Cincinnati Bearcats (16-9, 7-5 AAC) welcomed in South Florida Bulls (10-14, 3-8 AAC) to Fifth Third Arena as tonight’s theme was Nati Jam in honor of the throwback NBA Jam Arcade game. However, both teams enter this contest with some key injuries as Viktor Lakhin would be out for this one due to a sprained ankle he suffered vs Tulane, along with guard Rob Phinisee who suffered a season ending knee injury vs Tulane earlier in the week. The Bulls would be without big man Russel Tchewa due to a wrist injury, as well as reserve Keyshawn Bryant, so both teams will be without their starting center here this evening.
Kalu Ezikpe would get the start for the injured Lakhin as he looks to seize his opportunity and play a huge role for the Bearcats in the paint. Ezikpe, has really turned it up a notch in recent weeks after falling out of the rotation earlier in the season, the graduate has now found his opportunity back to the starting lineup with a chance to show #BearcatNation why he was such a big name within the transfer portal this past offseason.
The Bearcats would look to establish the ball inside early, after Kalu Ezikpe grabbed a huge offensive rebound after a Landers Nolley missed jumper, then went up strong for a huge and-1 opportunity. The Bearcats were looking to build off that momentum after Jeremiah Davenport would drive and find Ody Oguama for an easy two hand slam to give the Bearcats an 8-7 lead with 14:04 remaining in the first half.
Jarrett Hensley would see his action for the first time since January first and came in and looked to make an immediate impact as the junior would attack the paint in hopes to get the Bulls in early foul trouble. Hensely would knock down his first four free throws attempts, scoring his first points since the Detroit Mercy game back on December 21, 2022. The Bulls were doing a great job early, as they held the Bearcats without a field goal for nearly five minutes, before Oguama finished the layup from David DeJulius at the rim.
The Bearcats would start shooting just 21% from the field here this evening before turning it up a notch late in the first half after three straight field goals from Adams-Woods, DeJulius and Davenport. The Bearcats would force a Bulls timeout as they led 30-25 with 3:40 remaining in the first half as they looked to open this one up before the break after a slow start. The Bulls thought otherwise as Corey Walker Jr., continued to dominate the Bearcats inside with Tchewa out as he had a game high 16 heading into the break after a huge 8-0 run to end the half to take a 38-34 lead.
The Bearcats were clearly missing Lakhin here tonight and it showed tremendously, as USF was looking to take advantage as the Bearcats were starting to figure it out without a key player like Lakhin. Walker was just getting anything he wanted in the first half as the Bulls shot 45% from the field, while the Bearcats shot just 29%. The Bearcats were looking to find a way to come out of the half and flip the script, as all the momentum was favoring the Bulls. Tyler Harris entered tonight averaging nearly 17 points, but was held to just three points in the first half, which was key for the Bearcats with how dynamic of a player he is on the court.
The Bearcats would look to establish the ball inside to start the second half as Oguama was starting to heat up after scoring six straight points for the Bearcats to make this a 40-40 game. The Bearcats were looking to build momentum after a 9-2 run in the first segment of the second half, but they had to find a way to contain Corey Walker Jr. Walker, just continued to dominate inside as he made seven of his first ten shots for 19 points.
The Bearcats would extend their lead to 47-41 following a five point run from Davenport, and just like that the Bearcats were looking to make a after a slow first half. They did just that, as they extended their lead to 52-43 after Davenport pulled up from the parking lot to force Brain Gregory and the Bulls to call timeout. Davenport, with a quick 10 points to start the second half, and that is exactly what the Bearcats needed to open this one up here at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats were looking to keep their foot on the gas as they extended their lead to 12 after DeJulius hit Tyler Harris with a little shake and bake action for an easy layup. The Bearcats would continue to pour it on the Bulls after a six-point run gave the Bearcats a 69-54 lead following a Mika Adams-Woods made three-point basket.
