TicketsCINCINNATI – Keith Williams scored 27 points to help lead the University of Cincinnati men's basketball team to a 78-73 win over Furman in nonconference action Wednesday inside Fifth Third Arena.
Cincinnati (2-1) shored up its defense, holding Furman (4-1) under 40 percent (23-58) from the field and to 25 percent (7-28) from behind the 3-point line.
Williams finished 10-of-17 from the field, pulled down five rebounds and had two blocks, two steals and an assist.
The Bearcats led by as many as 14 in the second half, up 47-33 with 17:13 left, but the Paladins battled back, using a 19-9 run over 9:10 to pull within two at 56-54 with 7:45 to go.
From there, UC pushed the lead to as many as nine, 68-59 at the last media timeout of the night. Furman wasn't done, doubling up the Bearcats, 14-7, over the next 3:46 to pull within two after a Clay Mounce 3-pointer made it 75-73 Cincinnati with 13 ticks on the clock. Mika Adams-Woods sank a pair of free throws and Williams made one in the waning seconds to push the final margin to five at 78-73.
Mounce finished with a team-high 23 points along with four boards. Noah Gurley added 20 and grabbed eight rebounds.
UC's David DeJulius pulled down a career high nine rebounds along with scoring seven points with four assists. Bearcats freshman Tari Eason made his first collegiate start and notched a career best eight points.
The Bearcats led 40-28 at halftime behind Williams' 14 and eight from Jeremiah Davenport, who made the most of his 16 first-half minutes. Over the opening stanza, UC outrebounded Furman 14-5, shot 65 percent (15-23) and had 11 assists on 15 made buckets.
UP NEXT
UC plays its first road game of the season Saturday at No. 12 Tennessee. The game tips at 12:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network Alternate channel.
Cincinnati (2-1) shored up its defense, holding Furman (4-1) under 40 percent (23-58) from the field and to 25 percent (7-28) from behind the 3-point line.
Williams finished 10-of-17 from the field, pulled down five rebounds and had two blocks, two steals and an assist.
The Bearcats led by as many as 14 in the second half, up 47-33 with 17:13 left, but the Paladins battled back, using a 19-9 run over 9:10 to pull within two at 56-54 with 7:45 to go.
From there, UC pushed the lead to as many as nine, 68-59 at the last media timeout of the night. Furman wasn't done, doubling up the Bearcats, 14-7, over the next 3:46 to pull within two after a Clay Mounce 3-pointer made it 75-73 Cincinnati with 13 ticks on the clock. Mika Adams-Woods sank a pair of free throws and Williams made one in the waning seconds to push the final margin to five at 78-73.
Mounce finished with a team-high 23 points along with four boards. Noah Gurley added 20 and grabbed eight rebounds.
UC's David DeJulius pulled down a career high nine rebounds along with scoring seven points with four assists. Bearcats freshman Tari Eason made his first collegiate start and notched a career best eight points.
The Bearcats led 40-28 at halftime behind Williams' 14 and eight from Jeremiah Davenport, who made the most of his 16 first-half minutes. Over the opening stanza, UC outrebounded Furman 14-5, shot 65 percent (15-23) and had 11 assists on 15 made buckets.
UP NEXT
UC plays its first road game of the season Saturday at No. 12 Tennessee. The game tips at 12:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network Alternate channel.