Box Score (XML)| Box Score (HTML) I Box Score (PDF)

Pictured Above: Freshman guard Romone Saunders drives on Cincinnati's Quadri Moore during tonight's contest (photo by Timothy D. Sofranko)

Cincinnati, OH – The Cincinnati Bearcats of the American Athletic Conference limited Wagner to 29.8 percent shooting and placed four players in double figures in posting a 72-48 victory at Fifth Third Arena tonight in the Seahawks' final non-conference road game of the season.
 
The Green & White were led by a trio of freshman who notched eight points apiece in forward Japhet Kadji (Douala, Cameroon/Gulliver Prep-FL/IMG Academy-FL), along with guards JoJo Cooper (Wilmington, DE/Concord) and Romone Saunders (Temple Hills, MD / Potomac / Mt. Zion Prep).
 
Cincinnati, which jumped out to a 32-19 halftime lead, received a balanced offensive effort led by Kevin Johnson's 11 points, while three Bearcats hit for 10 points each in Octavius Ellis, Shaquille Thomas and Quadri Moore.
 
Wagner more than held its own on the boards against a big, strong and athletic Bearcat lineup as the Seahawks held a 33-32 edge on the glass with 6-8 junior power forward Mike Aaman (Hazlet, NJ/Raritan/Rhode Island) leading the way with eight caroms. Cooper was Wagner's second-leading rebounder with six from his guard position.
 
Cincinnati, which shot 53 percent from the floor, held a 38-16 advantage in points in the paint while holding a 17-8 edge in points off turnovers.

"For us, it was a toughness game, being able to play tough, commented third-year head coach Bashir Mason on what he feels like he can take and build from this onto their next game against Rider. "Cincinnati all year has been plus seven on the backboards against everybody they have played against and we out rebounded them by one. I think we had about 17 offensive rebounds. Again, with them blocking our shots and us turning the ball over is really the reason why weren't able to get out and stretch the lead."    

The Bearcats opened the contest on a 8-0 run that was capped by an Ellis jumper in the lane. Cooper ended the Bearcat run with a left-wing three-pointer off a feed from fellow freshman guard Cory Henson (Upper Marlboro, MD/ DeMatha Catholic). Wagner chipped into the lead with five straight points that drew the visitors to within 10-8, at the 12:31 mark thanks to a pair of Cooper made free throws. 

Three made freebies by the Bearcats increased their lead to 15-8 before senior guard Marcus Burton (Charlotte, NC/ David W. Butler) was able to trim the deficit to four by dialing up a long, high-arching three-pointer, that made it 15-11. This would be the closest that Wagner would get, however, as a two-handed jam by Ellis sparked a run of 15-8 over a 9:39 period that saw the Cincinnati lead elevate to 32-19 at intermission.
 
With the loss, the Seahawks fall to 2-8 on the season while Cincy improves to 8-3 on the season and 7-2 at home. The Seahawks will conclude their non-conference schedule next time out when they host Rider of the MAAC on Monday, December 29 with tip-off at the Spiro Sports Center set for 7:00 pm. Wagner opens Northeast Conference play on Saturday, January 3 at Saint Franicis U in a 4:00 pm start before hosting Mount St. Mary's on Monday, January 5 at 7:00 pm in its league home opener.
 
Follow Wagner Athletics on Twitter (@wagnerathletics) for all the latest news and updates on the athletic department and on the men's basketball program and head coach Bashir Mason (@BashirMason) for news on the third-year head coach.