After an eight-month wait, season No. 2 under Wes Miller is underway for the University of Cincinnati men's basketball team.
David DeJulius scored a game-high 24 points, Landers Nolley II added 19 in his Cincinnati debut and the Bearcats cruised to a season-opening 98-55 win over Division II Chaminade on Monday at Fifth Third Arena.
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The matchup marked Cincinnati's first-ever meeting against the Silverswords, who faced the Bearcats in what was their third and final exhibition game. Chaminade previously played Tuesday at Ohio State (lost, 101-57) and Louisville on Thursday. The Silverswords led the Cardinals with six minutes left before falling, 80-73.
It didn't take long for Nolley, a Memphis transfer, to announce his arrival at Cincinnati. The 6-foot-7 senior opened the night with a 3-pointer and Jeremiah Davenport followed with a 3 of his own to give the Bearcats the early lead.
Nolley (eight) and Davenport (six) scored 14 of Cincinnati's first 16 points, as the Bearcats stormed out to a 16-5 advantage within the first five minutes of play.
UC made its first seven shots (4-for-4 from deep).
Fifth-year Old Dominion transfer big man Kalu Ezikpe showed his versatility by dribbling the length of the floor and laying it up to put the Bearcats ahead 20-9.
Fellow transfer Rob Phinisee (Indiana) joined the party with 3-point basket that made it a 25-10 game at the 11:47 mark.
Freshman Dan Skillings Jr. grabbed the first highlight of the night with a steal and breakaway dunk that gave the Bearcats a 31-12 lead with 10:02 left in the opening half.
Viktor Lakhin, who started at center for the Bearcats, found a spot in the highlight reel next after getting a steal and finding Mika Adams-Woods with a behind-the-back pass for an easy look at the rim. The layup made it 44-20 with 5:20 to play before halftime.
Nolley and DeJulius, a preseason second-team All-American Athletic Conference selections, each led the way with 12 first-half points.
The second half was more of the same for the Bearcats, who had a slam-dunk fest after halftime. Nolley had two fast-break jams and Lakhin added another. DeJulius threw alley-oop to Davenport who jammed it in and made it 93-51 with 4:28 remaining. Davenport finished with 14 points.
Up next: Cincinnati hosts Cleveland State on Thursday in a women's/men's doubleheader at Fifth Third Arena. The men tip off at 8 p.m. on ESPN+. The Cincinnati women's team, which lost 87-68 Monday at No. 7/5 (Associated Press/coaches polls) Louisville, will host Tennessee Tech at 5 p.m.
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