The Bearcats would turn on the burners heading into the final stretch as Viktor Lakhin would find his groove after behind held scoreless for the first thirty or so minutes of play. A big part of the offense was starting to settle back in after missing time with the recent ankle injury, but the Mustangs had no answer for the Bearcats firepower this time around. Landers Nolley was having his best game in Fifth Third Arena, as he had 24 points with plenty of game left to play, a great sign for the Bearcats heading into the conference tournament. David DeJulius and Landers Nolley would take over the final stretch after DeJulius blew a tire on his defender on a mean step back jumper that you could hear from Calhoun Street. The Bearcats would be too much for the Mustangs this afternoon as they won the race from start to finish this afternoon.
The Bearcats would defeat the Mustangs 97-74 behind a dominant senior night performance from David DeJulius who finished with career-high 30 point on 11-of-18 shooting, with six assists. DeJulius walked off for the final time after giving the C-Paw a giant kiss at halfcourt and to a very loud ovation from the Bearcat faithful. “I couldn’t have asked for it to be any other way. That was an amazing moment for it all to come into fruition like that,” said DeJulius. “Those type of moments, no amount of money can replicate that moment right there, being in such a special place at Fifth Third Arena, the best arena in the world surrounded by great teammates, and coaches that allow me to be in the position I am right now, when I look back at this when I am older, I am going to hold that moment right there high for sure. To come in here throughout covid, one of the most turbulent times ever, through coaching changes, through different changes, being where we were then, to now winning 20 games with so much more to grow as a program, it is an amazing feeling. I am glad I was here at this time, during these three years, this pivotal change, I just pride myself not just being a good player but leaving a place better than I found it. This city is very special, they embrace me and each and every day I wake up with such a joy and gratitude to be here, that I am just overblown with the fact I need to pay it back. The City of Cincinnati gave me so much, whether its inside Fifth Third or downtown grabbing bite to eat I just feel the love. I am not entitled to that love, but they give me that love, so not only now, but going forward for the rest of my life I am going to continue to pay it back and be a great Alumni after this year is over.”
Other Notables.
Landers Nolley finished with 24 points, on 7-of-13 shooting while grabbing six rebounds in the process. The Bearcats saw their two big time scorers step up in a game they desperately needed heading into the AAC Tournament next week.
Jeremiah Davenport also finished with 12 points, while Adams-Woods finished with 11 points and six assists.
From Wes Miller.
“At Cincinnati we are going to celebrate the guys who choose to stick around, and they play their last game of eligibility at home at Cincinnati,” said Wes Miller. “David DeJulius has done that, he could’ve left in the transition a couple of years ago. He is certainly an all AAC guy last year with the ability to leave and play right away. He could have left, but he stuck with Cincinnati when he didn’t have to and had other options. He loves this place, he’s invested, we are going to celebrate the heck out of those guys going forward. I think you build programs with guys like that, you take steps forward, he has given his heart and soul. I was thrilled tonight that our fans recognized him the way they did when he came out of the game. I thought that was so special. This is one of those special places in all of college basketball where people get it, like they just get it. That was a moment he deserved, so I was happy for David. It’s still cool that Rob Phinisse and Kalu Ezikpe finished their careers here. I told Rob, “I think about what it would’ve been like if I could have had him every night. He would have impacted our team in such a great way. Kalu, has really responded, He has responded the right way while going through some major up and downs. This wasn’t the season that he wanted especially early, it wasn’t the role we recruited him for early, but he just kept fighting, I thought his minutes tonight were terrific, especially in the first half.”
The Bearcats will now have another week off before traveling to Fort Worth, Texas for the AAC Tournament as the 4th seed Bearcats will take on the 5th seed Temple Owls on Friday at 3 pm ET/2 pm CT.
