The Bearcats would take a 34-29 lead at the break despite a slow start offensively after starting just 2-9 from the field to start this one. The Bearcats would finish the first half shooting nearly 41% but struggled from behind the arch as they shot just 20% (2-10) with both made three-point shots coming from Simas Lukosius. Howard was matching the Bearcats physicality through the first twenty minutes as Seth Towns really set the tone early for the Bison with 10 points and five rebounds in the first half.
However, a huge emphasis for the Bearcats heading into this one was winning the battle of the glass, and they did just that through the first half. The Bearcats outrebounded the Bison 16-12 (7-2 offensive rebounds). The Bearcats need to find a way to create some stops on the defensive end however, as both teams combined for just 11 turnovers in the first half and in an environment like this all momentum was favoring Howard.
Howard would come out and pick up where they left off in the first half after Marcus Dockery knocked down a contest three over the 7-foot Bandaogo. The Bearcats would come down and create some momentum of their own after John Newman slashed through the Bison defense and kicked it cross court to a wide open Simas Lukosius for the wide open three giving the Bearcats a 43-38 lead with 15:57 left in the second half.
However, Seth Towns continued to be the game changer for the Bison as he led all scorers with 17 points. Towns, was continuing to get to his spot and rise up and single handily keep the Bison in this one here at Burr Gymnasium this evening. Howard would rise up and take their first lead since early in the first half following a 12-point run to take a 50-45 lead over the Bearcats.
Jizzle James would rise to the moment as the freshman was doing everything, he could as he looked to will the Bearcats back into this one after seven quick points to cut the Bisons lead to three as they led the Bearcats 59-56. John Newman would spark some momentum for the Bearcats sparking a seven-point run to give the Bearcats a 63-61 lead with 5:35 left.
The Bearcats would lead the Bison 70-67 with 1:30 left in the game after a huge defensive stand as Viktor Lakhin came in with a big defensive stand blocking Seth Towns floater at the rim. Howard would respond with a stop of their own after the timeout where Seth Towns went down the court and knocked down the floater to cut the led to one. Dan Skillings would go to his favorite shot and that was baseline floater to give the Bearcats a three-point lead with 9 seconds left.
The Bearcats had a 74-71 lead with 9 seconds left, but who else then Seth Towns buried a deep three to send this one to overtime tied at 74. All momentum was favoring the Bison right now after a late rally. The Bearcats would get their first test of the season and head to overtime for the first time of the 2023-2024 season.
Marcus Dockery scored the first points of overtime for the Bison and the Bearcats quickly took control from there. Despite a couple of delays because of technological issues at Burr Gymnasium the Bearcats held a 82-80 lead after a Lakhin layup. The Bearcats would have an opportunity to go up 4 with 10 seconds remaining, but Day-Day Thomas shot was just off the mark, as John Newman grabbed the offensive board drawing the foul, and eventually knocking down the two free throws to give the Bearcats an 84-81 lead with 4 seconds remaining in overtime.
The Bearcats would hold on and defeat the Bisons after John Newman forced the turnover on the inbounds play and pushed it up court to Day-Day Thomas for the easy slam to close the doors and give the Bearcats an 86-81 victory.
Next up
The Bearcats will be back in action this Sunday when they welcome Florida Golf Coast to Fifth Third Arena at 1 pm.
