On Saturday afternoon the Cincinnati Bearcats traveled five miles up the street to the Cintas Center to face their cross town rivals the Xavier Musketeers in the 87th Crosstown Shootout. Xavier has won four of the last six, but Cincinnati won last years game 62-47. After injuring his hip against Vermont, Jarron Cumberland was listed as questionable via John Brannen, but the senior was in the starting lineup. Would Cincinnati be able to get their first win in Cintas since 2001-02?
Keith Williams started off like a ball of fire on offense and on the defensive glass before getting two fouls late in the half. Williams led the team with nine points. Xavier’s Naji Marshall was a problem during the first half scoring 17 points on 7-of-14 from the floor. Cincinnati was able to get Tyrique Jones in foul trouble allowing the big man to only play four minutes in the first half. Cincinnati didn’t shoot it great in the first half, but they only found themselves down 32-29, five late points by Jaevin Cumberland stopped Xavier from having a controlling first half lead.
Xavier came out on a 19-6 run to start the second half and Cincinnati could never recover. Jones was able to play all of the second half and he made a difference finishing with 10 points (all in the second half) and nine rebounds. Marshall finished with a career high 31 points. Jarron, Jaevin and Mika made a few plays late to get the game close at the end, but it wasn’t enough to steal the victory. The Cumberland’s were 6-of-24 from the field and 3-of-16 from three on the road. When your best shooters aren’t efficient it is hard to win on the road and especially at Xaiver.
Williams led the team in points and rebounds with 15 and nine. Mika Adams-Woods had 10 points off the bench, he was solid on offense, but had a rough defensive game. Personally Adams-Woods will grow from the this game, he wasn’t scared to attack against a good defensive team.
Cincinnati lost 73-66 on the road and are now 7-3 and Xavier is 9-1. Cincinnati won’t have to play until next Saturday so hopefully they can get into a nice roll before conference play starts. As much as it hurts you must tip your cap to Xavier and lick your wounds.
