Obiora side-stepped into a pull-up three in the first and capped off the fourth with three dunks, but he out-did that with a defensive performance best characterized as “seek and destroy.” His strong hands, long arms, and fluidity in space were the wrench that dismantled what Howard was trying to do on offense. The Wildcats couldn’t get off clean looks inside the arc because Obiora was never too far away to clog the lane or to deter a rim-attempt. And when the Hawks defense sprang a leak, he was there to patch it with emphatic plays on the ball. Obiora racked up 17 points, 12 boards, 3 assists, 5 steals, and 5 blocks.

Obiora side-stepped into a pull-up three in the first and capped off the fourth with three dunks, but he out-did that with a defensive performance best characterized as “seek and destroy.” His strong hands, long arms, and fluidity in space were the wrench that dismantled what Howard was trying to do on offense. The Wildcats couldn’t get off clean looks inside the arc because Obiora was never too far away to clog the lane or to deter a rim-attempt. And when the Hawks defense sprang a leak, he was there to patch it with emphatic plays on the ball. Obiora racked up 17 points, 12 boards, 3 assists, 5 steals, and 5 blocks.