Cincinnati Basketball: Bearcats season comes to a close in NIT quarterfinals loss at Utah Valley

After coming within one win of securing a spot in the NIT semifinals in Las Vegas, the Cincinnati Bearcats fell short in a season-ending 74-68 loss against the Utah Valley Wolverines tonight.

Despite showing significant improvement in Wes Miller’s second year at the helm, the Bearcats came up short in the NIT quarterfinals and failed to reach expectations with a 23-13 record.

Utah Valley jumped out to a double digit advantage in the opening minutes behind veteran backcourt duo Justin Harmon and Trey Woodbury, while Cincinnati started 4/17 from the field.

Landers Nolley II knocked down back to back 3-pointers as the Bearcats ended the first half on a 20-14 run to cut into the deficit but Utah Valley was able to take a 39-33 lead into halftime.

Cincinnati Basketball: Bearcats season comes to a close in NIT quarterfinals loss at Utah Valley

Just moments after the Bearcats tied it early in the second half, Utah Valley responded with a 10-3 run to quickly regain the lead as Harmon and Woodbury continued to dissect the defense.

Cincinnati had multiple opportunities to cut the deficit to one possession in final minutes but Utah Valley got a crucial stop and scored on the other end to extend the lead and essentially seal a win.

David DeJulius had his Bearcats career come to a frustrating conclusion but he finished with the third most assists (192) in a season in school history after scoring 19 points and four assists.

Woodbury totaled 17 points and seven assists, while Harmon added 17 points and five rebounds to fuel the Wolverines. Nolley compiled a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds in the loss.