This evening the Bearcats (1-0) welcomed in Detroit Mercy (0-1) to Fifth Third Arena for their multi team event presented by Allegiant Air. The Bearcats lead the all-time series with the Titans 3-2 following 72-54 victory over the Titans last December.
The Bearcats are coming off a 69-58 victory Monday night against UIC as they kicked off their inaugural Big 12 season. The Bearcats were led by Day Day Thomas who finished with a team high 14 points in his Bearcat debut. This was the Bearcats first double-digit scorer in their debut since Sean Kilpatrick did such feat back in 2010.
However, the Bearcats got significant news ahead of this one as they found out that Aziz Bandaogo’s waiver appeal had been denied by the NCAA. However, that hurts the Bearcats in more ways than others especially with Jamille Reynolds waiver appeal still under review.
Final Stats
CJ Fredrick led the Bearcats with 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting (4-of-5 deep).
John Newman has made his presence known for the Bearcats as he finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Day Day Thomas recorded double digits for the second straight game to start his young Bearcat career.
Dan Skillings finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Josh Reed provided huge minutes off the bench as he finished with just five points, but a team high 12 rebounds.
How it Happened
Detroit Mercy would struggle on the offensive end early this evening as they shot 0-of-6 to start this one, but had plenty of opportunities early. However, for the Bearcats, they wasted no time early as they jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead following a made three pointers from John Newman on the opening possession, then quickly followed up by Viktor Lakhin midrange post up. Bearcats guard Dan Skillings would make two costly turnovers in his first minute of action resulting in two quick fouls for the sophomore guard. However, the Bearcats took an 8-0 lead at the under 16 media breaks following a made three from Simas Lukosius.
CJ Fredrick would come out guns a blazing after a personal 8-0 run following consecutive triples and a quick baseline floater which gave the Bearcats a 16-3 lead with 14:00 minutes remaining in the first half. However, the Titans would knock down their first field goal of the night with nearly 13 minutes remaining in the first half.
However, for the Titans they’d respond with a huge 9-2 run of their own to cut the Bearcats lead to six as they trailed 18-12 with 11:27 remaining in the first half. John Newman would spark a quick 5-0 run of his own after a thunderous one-handed slam after a quick baseline drive. The graduate forward has provided a huge spark for the Bearcats on both ends of the court as he led the Bearcats with 11 points and six rebounds as they controlled an early 30-17 lead over the Titans.
The Bearcats would not look back from there as Josh Reed made a quick impact off the bench with a five point swing to extend the Bearcats lead to 41-21. However, Dan Skillings would return after picking up two quick fouls and keep the ball moving for the Bearcats after burying two quick three’s to give the Bearcats a 52-23 lead with two minutes before half.
The Bearcats would take a huge 60-27 lead following an electric shooting performance as the Bearcats shot 62% from field, as well as 62% from three. CJ Fredrick set the tone early after knocking down two big triples to start. However, everything was falling for the Bearcats and the Titans had simply no answer for the firepower Wes Miller and the Bearcats threw their way as the Bearcats finished six for six to end the first half following a step back three from Day Day Thomas.
CJ Fredrick led the Bearcats with 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting (3-of-3 deep), while John Newman finished with 11 points and six rebounds in the first half. However, despite the hot shooting start for the Bearcats they outrebounded the Titans 22-11 in the first half which was a significant factor as the Titans were simply out played from the very beginning of this one after shooting 1-of-9 to start.
CJ Fredrick would get the Bearcats scoring started in the second half after he knocked down his fourth triple of the night that gave the Bearcats a 66-30 lead right before the under 16 media break. The Bearcats continued to keep their foot on the gas as they extended their lead to forty as they led the Titans 77-37 with 10:46 remaining in the first half.
The Bearcats would continue to sling the rock around as five Bearcats would reach double digits following two made free throws that gave the Bearcats a commanding 82-42 lead halfway through the second quarter. However, the Bearcats shot lights out in the first half, but cooled off in the second as they shot just 2-of-8 from behind the arch in the first 10 minutes of the second half despite finishing the first half 13-of-21.
The Bearcats jumped out toa 87-50 lead following five quick points from point guard Day Day Thomas. Following the media break redshirt freshman made his appearance of the season as he checked in with five minutes remaining in the second half. A huge opportunity for the redshirt freshman especially after the news that Aziz Bandaogo’s waiver appeal was denied earlier this afternoon, as he will see significant run here to end this contest.
The Bearcats would hold and defeat the Titans 93 to 61 behind a night where the Bearcat saw six players score in double digits.
Up next- The Bearcats will be back in action this Sunday at 12 pm as they welcome in Eastern Washington for the final game of their Multi team event presented by Allegiant Air.
