HEMPSTEAD, New York – Thanks to previously scheduled floor replacement work at Fifth Third Arena, the No. 4 seed Cincinnati Bearcats play a road game in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament at Hofstra University.
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The Pride knocked off No. 1 seed Rutgers 88-86 in overtime Tuesday to earn their first home game since their Feb. 25 Senior Day. Coach Wes Miller's Bearcats earned their 22nd win Wednesday night taking down Virginia Tech 81-72.
UC and Hofstra have never met. In terms of common opponents, Hofstra lost at USF in December, 77-70. The Bearcats swept the Bulls during the American Athletic Conference slate. Hofstra at the start of the 2021-2022 season took AAC regular-season champ Houston to overtime but lost.
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The winner advances to the NIT quarterfinals vs. the winner of No. 3 seed Colorado vs. Utah Valley, which will be played Sunday at 9:30 p.m.. The Buffaloes defeated Seton Hall in round one with Utah Valley knocking out No. 2 seed New Mexico. That game will be either Tuesday or Wednesday. Again with Fifth Third Arena unavailable, UC would be on the road should they defeat Hofstra.
HALFTIME: UC leads at Hofstra 40-37
Viktor Lakhin misses on the pick and roll that would have put the Bearcats up five.
Landers Nolley II and David DeJulius have 11 points each, Ody Oguama has eight points and seven rebounds. UC dominating on the boards 23-10. The Bearcats are shooting 51.6% but just 3-of-9 on treys. Hofstra's shooting 44.4% but has made 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 rebounding advantage.
3:42 left in first half, timeout
Darlinstone Dubar has tied the game with a 3-pointer as Hofstra's on a 6-0 run. It's all even at 31. Landers Nolley II hasn't scored in nearly eight minutes. DeJulius 11 for UC, Tyler Thomas 10 for Hofstra. Bearcats only 1-for-7 on treys, the Pride 5-for-9.
Media timeout, 6:43 first half
A 3-shot foul on Jeremiah Davenport so Hofstra will shoot out of this. UC's lead is 28-22. The Bearcats have been up as many as 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 the timeout. UC leads 22-13. UC's Nolley has eight, Oguama and DeJulius six each. Oguama has five boards and the Bearcats are thrashing Hofstra there, 13-4. UC's 5-of-their-last-7 field goals.
Media timeout 15:52 first half
A pretty decent start for the Bearcats who lead 10-5 and have gone on a 6-0 run. David DeJulius with a couple of buckets and Nolley is 4-for-4 from the free throw line getting Hofstra defenders in the air. UC's got a 6-2 rebounding edge. Oguama with three to begin.
Player intros
UC's in white. Hofstra in blue. Hofstra 11-1 this season in their building. I spoke with the mother of Landers Nolley II today and Dan Skillings Jr. also has family here. Nolley's mom flew up from Atlanta.
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