HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Thanks to previously scheduled floor replacement work at Fifth Third Arena, the No. 4 Cincinnati Bearcats played a road game in the second round of the National Invitational Tournament at Hofstra University.
The Bearcats finished Hofstra’s season with a 79-65 victory to improve to 23-12 and advance to the NIT quarterfinals. Hofstra finishes 25-10. It was only their second home loss of the season.
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Pride knocked out No. 1 seed Rutgers 88-86 in overtime on Tuesday to win their first home game since their senior day on Feb. 25.
Ody Oguama had a double-double for the Bearcats with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Four others were in double digits as Landers Nolley II had 20, Viktor Lakhin 16 and David DeJulius 15. Lakhin had eight rebounds and DeJulius nine assists.
Aaron Estrada led Hofstra with 18 points.
UC BasketballHere’s how to watch the Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Hofstra in the NIT
UC advances to the NIT quarterfinals against the winner of the No. 3 seed Colorado vs. Utah Valley, which will be played at 9:30 p.m. Sunday. The Buffaloes defeated Seton Hall in the first round with Utah Valley knocking out No. 2 seed New Mexico. This match will take place on Tuesday or Wednesday. Again with Fifth Third Arena unavailable, UC would be on the road.
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FINAL UC 79, Hofstra 65
3:48 left, UC up to 15 and line
Viktor Lakhin will be at the timeout exit line. The Bearcats lead 73-58. Ody Oguama has 14 points and 10 rebounds. UC only lost once when they had someone with a double-double. DeJulius has 15 points and nine assists. UC have made 7 of their last 8 shots.
Media timeout with 7:18 remaining
UC’s first triple of the half came from Mika Adams-Woods and gave UC their biggest lead at 66-53. UC has four in double digits and Adams-Woods has eight. They closed against Virginia Tech last Wednesday, they will need the same effort here.
9:22 left, Bearcats up to 10
Jeremiah Davenport’s first points of the game came on a driving layup that put UC 61-51. Curiously, only four treys have been won this half by both teams, all of which missed. UC 3 of 12 on the day and Hofstra out 32-20.
Media timeout with 13:18 remaining, CPU up 6
Landers Nolley II will go to the line for a pair out of timeout. Kalu Ezikpe checks in for his first job and Mika Adams-Woods comes in with three fouls. Nolley has 16 to lead all scorers. The Bearcats led for all but 38 seconds of that game.
First timeout of the second half, 16:11 remaining
UC leads Hofstra 48-41. The board dominance continues at 26-15 and David DeJulius continues to find Viktor Lakhin. Big Vik with nine now and Ody Oguama added eight points and nine rebounds. Hofstra hit the first bucket of the half to cut the lead to 40-39. UC on an 8-2 run since then.
HALF-TIME: UC leads Hofstra 40-37
Viktor Lakhin misses the pick and roll that would have given the Bearcats a win of five.
Landers Nolley II and David DeJulius each have 11 points, Ody Oguama has eight points and seven rebounds. UC dominating on boards 23-10. The Bearcats are shooting 51.6% but only 3 of 9 on treys. Hofstra is shooting 44.4% but has had 6 of 11 triples. Tyler Thomas has 14 and Darlinstone Dubar has 11. Top scorer Aaron Estrada with nine. The Bearcats are 20-4 when leading at halftime, 19-2 when they have the rebound advantage.
3:42 remaining in first half, time out
Darlinstone Dubar tied the game with a 3-pointer as Hofstra is on a 6-0 run. It’s equal to 31. Landers Nolley II hasn’t scored for almost eight minutes. DeJulius 11 for UC, Tyler Thomas 10 for Hofstra. Bearcats only 1 for 7 on treys, Pride 5 for 9.
Media timeout, 6:43 first half
A 3 shot foul on Jeremiah Davenport so Hofstra will shoot. UC’s lead is 28-22. The Bearcats have been up to nine. Nolley and DeJulius eight points each. A 17-6 rebounding advantage for the Bearcats as Oguama has seven.
Media timeout, 11:17 first half
Dan Skillings Jr. with a foul to send Aaron Estrada to the line after timeout. UC leads 22-13. UC’s Nolley has eight, Oguama and DeJulius six apiece. Oguama has five boards and the Bearcats beat Hofstra there, 13-4. UC’s 5 field goals in their last 7.
Media delay 15:52 first half
A pretty decent start for the Bearcats who lead 10-5 and went 6-0. David DeJulius with a few buckets and Nolley is 4 for 4 from the free throw line, giving Hofstra defenders a steal. UC has a 6-2 rebound advantage. Oguama with three to start.
Player introductions
UC is in white. Hofstra in blue. Hofstra 11-1 this season in their building. I spoke with Landers Nolley II’s mother today and Dan Skillings Jr. also has family here. Nolley’s mother flew out of Atlanta.