The 86th meeting in the Crosstown Shootout took place for the first time in the newly renovated Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats looked to avenge last seasons 89-76 loss. The arena was packed early and the atmosphere was rocking.
The first started with a 9-6 Bearcats run led by sophomore guard Keith Williams with four points during the segment. Xavier made a run after Quentin Goodin and Naji Marshall hit back to back threes taking a 13-10. The Bearcats took the lead back after buckets by Tre Scott and Keith Williams, but the big shift happened when Jarron Cumberland nailed back to back threes to give Cincinnati a 26-18 with 2:52 seconds left in the first half. Williams scored a smooth layup before the half to take a 28-22 lead and finish with 10 points at the half.
Xavier shot 28% from the field and 20% from three. Cincinnati shot 36.4% from the field and 33.3% from three. Cincinnati only had two turnovers. Cumberland had eight points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
In the second half Cincinnati kept the pressure up with two free throws by Justin Jenifer, a jumper by Nysier Brooks and three by Cumberland them up 11 (37-26). Two big time dunks by Williams and a Trevor Moore three pushed the lead back to 10 (44-34), Xavier got it down to six points before the surge. It never got closer as the lead was pushed up to as many as 20 points. They held Marshall (leading scorer) to eight points on 2-of-13 from the field, 1-of-8 from three and 3-of-4 from the line. Goodin had a solid game with 12 points and five assists, but he fouled out. Xavier’s stated Cincinnati’s defense is the best he’s faced.
Cincinnati held their rivals to 35.3% from the field and 20% from three, they also out rebounded them 36-30 and won the turnover battle 12-5.
Cumberland finished with a game high 19 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Scott had a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. William’s finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two blocks. Two unsung heroes are Justin Jenifer with seven points, nine assists and one turnover. Eliel Nsoseme had no points and seven rebounds, but he controlled the defensive end like a mad man.
Cincinnati wins their ninth in a row 62-47 and this was Travis Steele’s first Crosstown Shootout as a head coach. They are off until next Saturday where they have to go on the road to face Mississippi State.
