In a commanding display of skill and resilience, the University of Cincinnati men's basketball team secured a resounding 65-49 victory over Merrimack on Tuesday inside the hallowed walls of Fifth Third Arena. Despite missing key starters CJ Fredrick Jr. and Aziz Bandaogo, the Bearcats relied on a stellar performance from redshirt junior forward Viktor Lakhin to extend their undefeated home streak to 8-0 this season and an impressive 9-2 overall record.
Lakhin showcased his scoring prowess with a game-high 18 points, leading the Bearcats to dominate the low block. His 8-14 shooting night, combined with seven rebounds, marked the sixth time this season that Lakhin reached double digits in scoring. Junior guard Simas Lukosius joined Lakhin in the double-digit club, contributing 11 points, including a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc.
Despite facing a determined Merrimack squad, the Bearcats maintained control throughout the game. Cincinnati shot an efficient 44% from the field and out-rebounded Merrimack 45-25, showcasing their dominance in both offensive and defensive aspects.
The game's pivotal moment came in the second half when back-to-back buckets from Lakhin ignited a 7-0 run, culminating in a breakaway dunk from sophomore forward Dan Skillings Jr. This sequence pushed the Bearcats to a commanding 17-point lead with 15 minutes left in the game.
Merrimack, however, staged a late-game comeback, narrowing the gap to single digits with a 12-2 run. Junior guard Day Day Thomas stepped up for the Bearcats, scoring seven consecutive points, including a crucial corner 3-pointer, to restore a comfortable double-digit lead.
The Bearcats closed the game with authority, finishing with a 14-2 run in the final five minutes. Lukosius's third three-pointer of the game effectively sealed the victory for Cincinnati, securing a 65-49 win.
Head coach Wes Miller expressed satisfaction with the team's defensive effort, holding Merrimack to under 50 points. Miller acknowledged the challenging nature of the opponent, giving credit to Merrimack's head coach, Joe Gallo, for building a formidable program with a unique and effective playing style.
Looking ahead, Cincinnati continues its home stretch with upcoming matchups against Stetson on Friday and Evansville the following Friday night, both scheduled for 7 p.m.
Notable highlights from the game include the Bearcats allowing a season-low 17 first-half points, Jamille Reynolds' impressive 11 rebounds in his home debut, and Day Day Thomas's consistent second-half scoring, with 40 of his last 42 points coming in the second half over the past four games. Reynolds fell just short of a career-high in rebounds in his stellar home debut.
As the Bearcats maintain their undefeated home streak and build momentum, the team looks forward to the challenges that lie ahead in the upcoming games against Stetson and Evansville.
