LaSalle coach Fran Dunphy was back on the sideline to face Cincinnati Saturday. Surprisingly he can’t win AAC coach of the year even though it felt like he won it every year at his previous stop. The Bearcats handled the former Temple headman’s bunch 78-60.

It was one of the better all-around defensive performances of the season. Cincinnati held LaSalle to 40 percent from the field and 4-of-17 from three-point range. The Explorers turned it over 25 times much of that due to Cincinnati’s aggression into passing lanes which has been a theme over the last few games.

The major gripe for the Cats in this one is the offensive lull to start the second half. LaSalle made things interesting, trimming the lead from 17 down to nine early in the second half. LaSalle also out-rebounded Cincinnati 40 to 33. The rebounding has been inconsistent throughout the year, and that doesn’t sit well with Wes Miller.

David DeJulius continues to have a storybook senior season. No one excels at making shots out of a hesitation or shimmy like Dave. If I could find a “step-back” shooting percentage, he’d have to be close to the nation’s best.

Not a great shooting display from Landers Nolley II, but he shined as a passer with six assists. If he can facilitate like that every time he goes 3-of-12 from the floor, then that would work wonders for this offense.

He did it again. You have to feel for whatever five-man has to guard Viktor Lakhin. Saturday’s 17-point outing marked eight straight games in double figures for Vik. On the defensive end, he’s been underrated as a shot-blocker thus far, registering four games with at least two blocks. Luckily, he stayed out of foul trouble, which will be critical in conference play as the front courts will provide more of a challenge.

It was another solid output for Jeremiah Davenport. He’s starting to limit the ill-timed shots, and in this game, he pulled down eight rebounds. He’s far from a perfect player, but he’s effective in doses. If he gives you anything close to 11 points and eight rebounds while only attempting seven shots, you take that every night because you know his effort is a given. 

Dan Skillings Jr. is doing Dan Skillings Jr. things. He canned two threes, but Dan also stood out defensively with three steals and three blocks. The freshman played 20 minutes, and he might be earning even more playing time. Cherish this kid from Philly because he might not be around long…..

One last buy game versus Detroit Mercy is left before conference play for the Bearcats. A 9-4 start isn’t what fans hoped for, but you can go into the conference slate with a little bit of juice. 

Game Ball:

David DeJulius (3)

Post-game Quote:

“He’s a winner [Coach Miller] and he wants to win. He knows our potential, and how great we can be on defense, and how great of a team we can be…. We look at that and know he cares.” – Dan Skillings Jr.