UC beats St. Johns

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He called timeout and instructed his point guard, Cashmere Wright, to dump the ball to Yancy Gates in the low post.

The first attempt was deflected out of bounds with 21.7 seconds to go. But Wright eventually did get the ball to Gates, who took it from there, banking in a basket while getting fouled by Justin Burrell, and then knocking down the free throw that gave the Bearcats a two-point lead with eight seconds to go.

When Dwight Hardy missed a runner at the other end, UC walked away with a 53-51 victory it had to have Saturday before a sellout crowd of 5,602 at Carnesecca Arena.

“I knew I was getting the ball,” said Gates, who led UC with 13 points. “I was just trying to time it up and get as close to the basket as I could. Burrell, he actually played good ‘D’ because he kind of jammed my duck-in. That’s why I caught it off as far as I did.

“But they still got me the ball. I was just thinking get up a strong shot and try to either draw the foul or get a strong shot that has a chance to go in.”

He did both.

“Once I made the move, he kind of leaned on me and that’s when the ref blew the whistle,” Gates said. “I just aimed for the glass.”

Having lost two straight to ranked teams on the road, this was a win the Bearcats desperately needed as they head home for two straight games at Fifth Third Arena this week.

No. 25 UC (17-3 overall, 4-3 in the Big East) plays Rutgers on Wednesday and West Virginia on Saturday. St. John’s (11-7, 4-4) lost for the second straight time.

“When you looked at this stretch, you had to say somehow we have to get one out of three realistically,” Cronin said. “If you can get out of here with one, you’re in great shape. If you can win the next two at home at the midway point, you’re 6-3 and that’s huge in our league. It’s a big, big win and we were able to do it without playing well offensively.”

That’s an understatement. The Bearcats shot 42 percent and repeatedly turned the ball over against St. John’s press. Their leading scorer, Dion Dixon, did not score, and Sean Kilpatrick, who averages in double figures, managed only one point and was 0-for-6 from the field.

The Bearcats committed 23 fouls that resulted in 26 free throws for St. John’s, but the Red Storm made only 12.


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http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110122/SPT0101/301220046/1064/UC-tops-St-John-s

 

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With the starters managing only seven points in the first half, the bench pitched in with 21 to allow the Bearcats to wipe out an eight-point deficit and take a 6-point lead into intermission on the way to a 53-51 victory over St. John’s. UC’s bench outscored the Red Storm’s reserves 21-11 in the first half and 25-19 overall.

Larry Davis led the way with seven first-half points, followed by freshman Justin Jackson with six points and four rebounds, and Biggie McClain with four points and six rebounds in eight minutes after Yancy Gates and Ibrahima Thomas had both gotten into foul trouble.

Jackson played with his usual degree of high energy and fearlessness in a difficult environment.

“One thing that Justin does that is very underrated is make layups in traffic,” said UC coach Mick Cronin. “We failed to make layups in traffic in our last two losses. In the Big East, those are tough baskets around the rim. He’s still learning defensively but the kid plays with tremendous energy.”

“I don’t care about nobody,” Jackson said. “I just do what I do.”

Cronin said he was also happy to see McClain make a major contribution.

“I had to hold them down for my teammates and Yancy while he was on the bench,” McClain said.

Not only did McClain help on the boards and with two baskets, but he made a pass to Davis in the corner to set him up for a basket just before the horn sounded at the end of the first half.


http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110122/SPT0101/301220047/1064/UC-reserves-again-come-through

 

[bearcat jeff]

With the starters managing only seven points in the first half, the bench pitched in with 21 to allow the Bearcats to wipe out an eight-point deficit and take a 6-point lead into intermission on the way to a 53-51 victory over St. John’s. UC’s bench outscored the Red Storm’s reserves 21-11 in the first half and 25-19 overall.

Larry Davis led the way with seven first-half points, followed by freshman Justin Jackson with six points and four rebounds, and Biggie McClain with four points and six rebounds in eight minutes after Yancy Gates and Ibrahima Thomas had both gotten into foul trouble.

Jackson played with his usual degree of high energy and fearlessness in a difficult environment.

“One thing that Justin does that is very underrated is make layups in traffic,” said UC coach Mick Cronin. “We failed to make layups in traffic in our last two losses. In the Big East, those are tough baskets around the rim. He’s still learning defensively but the kid plays with tremendous energy.”

“I don’t care about nobody,” Jackson said. “I just do what I do.”

Cronin said he was also happy to see McClain make a major contribution.

“I had to hold them down for my teammates and Yancy while he was on the bench,” McClain said.

Not only did McClain help on the boards and with two baskets, but he made a pass to Davis in the corner to set him up for a basket just before the horn sounded at the end of the first half.


http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110122/SPT0101/301220047/1064/UC-reserves-again-come-through

Love the win but I couldn't help but get pissed off thinking about the ND game and how we could have had back to back road wins. All in all you go 2-2 in that quarter of your schedule with 3 on the road. You gained an advantage over a mirror team by winning on their homecourt, and beat a team you're fighting with for position. Have to feel good about that. Nearly half thru league games with the next 2 at home. Legit shot to be 6-3 and 4th or 5th in the league at the halfway mark.

 

[Thegreatone]

I have seen a couple people refer to yesterday as a NCAA tournament seperation game. Winning on the road isn't going to be pretty. We arent going to go into a top 15 RPI teams place and walk all over them.

We are 17-3 (4-3). That is something we all we have taken at the start of the year.

Find a way to win 3 out of 4 and we will all be happy.

20-4 would be very legit. If this happens our RPI would be about 20.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I have seen a couple people refer to yesterday as a NCAA tournament seperation game. Winning on the road isn't going to be pretty. We arent going to go into a top 15 RPI teams place and walk all over them.

We are 17-3 (4-3). That is something we all we have taken at the start of the year.

Find a way to win 3 out of 4 and we will all be happy.

20-4 would be very legit. If this happens our RPI would be about 20.

We can accentuate the negative but I'm encouraged that they overcame their own mistakes, dug down and played D, and found a way to win. I also love that Gates went straight up on the game winner and didn't fall away. Good sign he is responding to coaching. St. Johns has a very solid team and a real shot at being in The Dance. It is a good win any way you slice it. Good for the record, good for league standing, good for the rpi, good for the sos, good because it was away, good nationally. I think they got over a hump yesterday.

 

[anbuc88]

I have seen a couple people refer to yesterday as a NCAA tournament seperation game. Winning on the road isn't going to be pretty. We arent going to go into a top 15 RPI teams place and walk all over them.

We are 17-3 (4-3). That is something we all we have taken at the start of the year.

Find a way to win 3 out of 4 and we will all be happy.

20-4 would be very legit. If this happens our RPI would be about 20.

I think you are right. When the commitee looks to seperate teams, yesterdays win against SJU will be big. We still have to hold serve against them at home, which isn't a given. Wednesdays and Saturdays games are hugh, of course. Rutgers just beat Seton Hall on the road, so I think they will give UC a fight. I expect that to win both games though.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I think you are right. When the commitee looks to seperate teams, yesterdays win against SJU will be big. We still have to hold serve against them at home, which isn't a given. Wednesdays and Saturdays games are hugh, of course. Rutgers just beat Seton Hall on the road, so I think they will give UC a fight. I expect that to win both games though.

They are all huge now. The line between some of these teams is so thin. a team can be 3-2 one day, and a week later be 3-5. Cincinnati stopped the bleeding. They really put themselves in a good position with the win yesterday and two at home in front of them. They have to stay focused and beat Rutgers and if they beat WVU, as I expect them to, it will be yet another resume win under their belt.

 

[ralph1950]

Got to like Big East road wins. Providence had not won a Big East game this season until beating Louisville at home yesterday.

 

[AAABearcat]

My favorite line off of the Redmen's board :
"I don't know what was more upsetting the loss yesterday, or the fact that we have a man on the dance team."

Kudo's to the UC fans in the stands, made enough noise for the Johnny fans to take note.