Cincinnati Basketball: Viktor Lakhin scores a career-high to lead the Bearcats past Eastern Washington

Cincinnati Bearcats center Viktor Lakhin compiled a career-high 26 points and 11 rebounds in an 85-73 victory against the Eagles Washington Eagles today!

Lakhin fueled the Bearcats to a solid start with six consecutive points in the opening minutes en route to recording his career-best scoring performance.

The Cincinnati big man eclipsed the 20-point mark for the third time and had the ninth double-double of his career in the non-conference win on Sunday.

Wes Miller’s team was able to create quality shots throughout the game and eventually pull away from Eastern Washington to remain unbeaten this year.

Cincinnati Basketball: Viktor Lakhin scores a career-high to lead the Bearcats to win

Bearcats guard Jizzle James tied his season-high of 13 points and two rebounds, while DaVeon Thomas totaled 11 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Cincinnati forward John Newman III had 10 points and five rebounds, highlighted by a fastbreak dunk to extend the Bearcats second half advantage.

Despite struggling to dissect Eastern Washington’s zone at times, Cincinnati leaned on Lakhin to carry the workload during the double digit victory.

The Bearcats got a lot of help off the bench with 35 points from the reserves as forward Simas Lukosius added 11 points, four assists and two rebounds.

Cincinnati Basketball: Bearcats earn 85-73 win against Eastern Washington

Cincinnati is set to get a week off before continuing non-conference play against the Northern Kentucky Norse next Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena.

During a postgame press conference, Lakhin broke down his career-best showing and reacted to the start of the regular season via Cincinnati Athletics.

"“My teammates found me and coach drew up the first play for me. Since I started shooting threes, it has been hard for me to readjust my game a little bit because I’m on the perimeter more now. It happened more in the first two games than it should happen. So I’m trying to figure it out how to still be me and then try to find threes. If I’m just on the perimeter then it takes away from my game around the paint.”"