ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands – Bowling Green overcame a 10-point deficit with 3:49 left to force overtime then outlasted Cincinnati 91-84 in the extra period behind Dylan Frye's game-high 28 points and six assists during semifinals action at the Paradise Jam on Sunday at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center.
Daeqwon Plowden added 18 points for Bowling Green (5-1), who will play Nevada in the tournament championship game on Monday at 8 p.m. ET.
Javein Cumberland scored 21 points thanks in part to six 3-pointers to lead UC (3-2). Chris McNeal added 17 points. Trevon Scott contributed eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
UC will play Valparaiso (4-2) in the tournament's third-place game Monday at 5:45 p.m. ET. The Crusaders fell to Nevada, 84-59, earlier Sunday.
UC held a 67-57 advantage with 3:49 left in regulation after a pair of free throws by Scott. However, Bowling Green answered behind Frye, who had nine of Bowling Green's points during the rally – a 15-5 run to force the extra frame. A three by Trey Diggs tied the score at 72-72 with 28 seconds left in regulation.
Frye came up big in extended play as well with seven points thanks to a 3-pointer and 4-of-4 shooting from the free-throw line.
Cincinnati built as much as a 13-point lead in the first half and led 41-29 at intermission. However, the Bearcats came out cold in the second half, missing 15 of their first 16 shots before baskets from Keith Williams and Javein Cumberland gave UC a 52-44 lead at 8:47 left.
The Bearcats also struggled from the charity stripe, missing 21 free throws for the game to finish at 56.4 percent (31 of 55) from the foul line. UC's 55 free throw attempts tied for the third most in school history. A combined total of 63 fouls were whistled during the game.
Daeqwon Plowden added 18 points for Bowling Green (5-1), who will play Nevada in the tournament championship game on Monday at 8 p.m. ET.
Javein Cumberland scored 21 points thanks in part to six 3-pointers to lead UC (3-2). Chris McNeal added 17 points. Trevon Scott contributed eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
UC will play Valparaiso (4-2) in the tournament's third-place game Monday at 5:45 p.m. ET. The Crusaders fell to Nevada, 84-59, earlier Sunday.
UC held a 67-57 advantage with 3:49 left in regulation after a pair of free throws by Scott. However, Bowling Green answered behind Frye, who had nine of Bowling Green's points during the rally – a 15-5 run to force the extra frame. A three by Trey Diggs tied the score at 72-72 with 28 seconds left in regulation.
Frye came up big in extended play as well with seven points thanks to a 3-pointer and 4-of-4 shooting from the free-throw line.
Cincinnati built as much as a 13-point lead in the first half and led 41-29 at intermission. However, the Bearcats came out cold in the second half, missing 15 of their first 16 shots before baskets from Keith Williams and Javein Cumberland gave UC a 52-44 lead at 8:47 left.
The Bearcats also struggled from the charity stripe, missing 21 free throws for the game to finish at 56.4 percent (31 of 55) from the foul line. UC's 55 free throw attempts tied for the third most in school history. A combined total of 63 fouls were whistled during the game.