Cincinnati 71, Marquette 69
Golden Eagles rally, but fall to Bearcats in OT


Associated Press
Marquette's Davante Gardner tries to keep the ball away from Cincinnati's Justin Jackson.

By Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel

Cincinnati - Marquette overcame a 16-point halftime deficit, but it wasn't enough to beat Cincinnati.

Sean Kilpatrick, who scored 36 points for the Bearcats, drove for the winning layup to give UC a 71-69 victory in overtime Saturday night.

The loss broke a six-game winning streak for the No. 25 Golden Eagles. It was also their first loss in Big East play. They are 13-4 and 4-1.

It was MU's third overtime game in league play this season.

Davante Gardner scored 15 off the bench.

The Golden Eagles scored just 13 points in the first half while shooting 17.9%.

Thirteen points was the fewest for Marquette in a half since the Golden Eagles lost to North Carolina two years ago in the Sweet Sixteen. They had 15 then.

With 4:45 left, Davante Gardner and Cincinnati's David Nyarsuk became tangled under the Marquette

Cincinnati didn't have star guard Cashmere Wright (sprained knee).

Check back later tonight online and in tomorrow's paper for our complete game coverage.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneag...04551.html

Marquette travels to Cincinnati with purpose


Mark Hoffman
Marquette head coach Buzz Williams called last season's loss at Cincinnati the Golden Eagles' "worst game we played last year."

By Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel
Jan. 18, 2013

A season after the fact, Buzz Williams says he is now at liberty to disclose Marquette's first goal from last year.

It was, the coach said, to win 13 Big East games, which would have been the most conference victories in school history.

The Golden Eagles accomplished it Feb. 24 at West Virginia, where Williams drew the ire of the Mountaineers by dancing on the WVU logo to John Denver's "Country Roads" in celebration of the milestone.

Problem was, there were two games left in the regular season.

Five days later, the eighth-ranked Golden Eagles, with little motivation, were scheduled to play at Cincinnati. The Bearcats were good, but unranked.

And Williams could see it coming.

"I'm telling our guys the day of the game," Williams said, "prior to the game, as calm as I'm talking to you, 'Guys, they are about to beat our head. Promise. Not trying to motivate you, but it's coming. They're about to smack us. Because we have no energy, no passion. I know you guys think we're good enough to show up. We're not. They're going to smack us.'

"And I thought they smacked us from start to finish."

Williams characterized the 71-62 loss at Fifth Third Arena as "the worst game we played last year."

That's saying something since Marquette lost to Vanderbilt by 17 points at the Bradley Center on Dec. 29 that season. Incidentally, the Golden Eagles have not lost at home since, but it was Marquette's fourth Big East loss of the season that stung Williams most.

The No. 25 Golden Eagles (13-3, 4-0) will return to the scene of the misdeed Saturday with a little more to lose.

Last year, all they lost was a little pride - and a spot in the top 25 - at Cincinnati. They destroyed No. 11 Georgetown in the final regular-season game to finish 14-4 in the league on the way to a second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance.

This year, they are skating on thinner Big East ice. As Williams admitted after the Golden Eagles beat Seton Hall, 69-62, Wednesday night, they could just as easily be 0-4.

Actually, they were never in serious danger against the shorthanded Pirates, but they beat Connecticut and Pittsburgh in overtime and overcame Georgetown by a point. On the other hand, Marquette has displayed the requisite toughness to win close conference games, but their early hold on the top of the Big East standings is fragile.

While the Golden Eagles are not quite good enough to blow anyone out, they are just resolute enough to hang with just about anyone in the league. But a loss to the Bearcats would end a six-game winning streak and likely would cost them residency in the top 25.

Cincinnati (15-3, 3-2) was a regular in the top 25 this season before losing consecutive home games to St. John's and Notre Dame. It received enough votes this week to be ranked 26th. The Bearcats have since beaten Rutgers and DePaul on the road and will pose a similar road threat at Pittsburgh.

The Bearcats have two big scorers out of the backcourt in Sean Kilpatrick (17.3 points per game) and Cashmere Wright (15.1) to test the defensive resolve of Junior Cadougan, Vander Blue, Trent Lockett, Todd Mayo and Derrick Wilson. Wright, however, is questionable because of a knee sprain suffered earlier this week at DePaul.

"I think Mick Cronin is the most underrated coach in our league," Williams said. "I think they have 11 high-major players. Really good, really tough, really strong, can score it in a myriad of ways. Defensively they are outstanding.

"They pose a lot of problems for us. It's a quick turn for us. I'm sure they were sitting at home watching that (Seton Hall) game. I think they're really good."

Quote:SATURDAY

Marquette at Cincinnati

When: 6 p.m.

TV: ESPNU

Radio: AM-540

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneag...54051.html

Kilpatrick lays in game-winner in OT victory over Marquette
Jan. 19, 2013 10:02 PM,



Cincinnati guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) drives to the basket against Marquette Jamil Wilson Saturday. / The Enquirer/ Joseph Fuqua II

Sean Kilpatrick’s driving left-handed layup with 4.3 seconds left in overtime lifted the University of Cincinnati Bearcats to a 71-69 victory over Marquette on Saturday at Fifth Third Arena.

With the score tied at 69-69 following a 3-point play by Marquette’s Davante Gardner, Kilpatrick - who scored a career-high 36 points - drove the lane and laid the ball in. Marquette raced down the floor, with Junior Coudigan attempting a shot that would have tied the score, but the ball was tipped errantly by a Golden Eagle player as time expired.

The Bearcats (16-3 overall, 4-2 in the Big East) ended a three-game home losing streak before 12,812 fans, the largest crowd of the season at Fifth Third. Playing with senior point guard Cashmere Wright, UC built a 16-point halftime lead then had to hold off Marquette’s second-half comeback to post the victory.

Marquette scored first in overtime on Todd Mayo’s 3-point shot, but the Bearcats scored the next five points, four by Kilpatrick, to take a 68-66 lead with 51.4 seconds left. After Mayo’s 3-point attempt was no good, the ball went out of bounds to UC with 39 seconds to play.

UC inbounded the ball to JaQuon Parker who called timeout with 34.4 seconds remaining after he was trapped in front of the Marquette bench. Kilpatrick saved Titus Rubles’ errant inbounds pass and was fouled by Derrick Wilson with 25 seconds left. Kilpatrick made one of two free throws and UC had a three-point lead.

Marquette’s Davante Gardner, who had a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, was fouled by Justin Jackson as he made a follow shot with 14.8 seconds left. Gardner converted the 3-point play to tie the score at 69-69, setting the stage for Kilpatrick’s game-winning basket.

Wright, who sprained his right knee on Tuesday against DePaul, ended a streak of 24 straight starts. He was averaging 16.3 points over his last six games. Sophomore Jermaine Sanders made his first career start in Wright’s absence, with Parker sliding over from his wing position to play point guard.

No. 25 Marquette (13-4, 4-1) now counts two overtime games and a one-point decision among its conference victories.

With the score tied, 61-61, in regulation, Kilpatrick made two free throws for UC with 14.6 seconds left in regulation. After a Marquette timeout, the Golden Eagles dumped the ball inside to Gardner, who was fouled by David Nyarsuk with 2.9 seconds remaining. Gardner, an 83.5 percent shooter from the line, made both free throws to tie the score at 63-63.

UC called timeout, followed by another Marquette timeout as the Bearcats lined up under the Marquette basket to inbound the ball. After the timeout, Rubles heaved the ball into the UC frontcourt for Justin Jackson, but Jackson couldn’t handle it. Marquette's Vander Blue grabbed the ball and launched a long shot that was not good, as time expired, sending the game into overtime.

The Golden Eagles, who failed to make a 3-point shot in nine attempts in the first half, started the second half with three quick treys by Vander Blue to cut UC’s 29-13 halftime lead to 31-24. The Bearcats increased the lead back to 11, but after Marquette cut it to seven again, UC coach Mick Cronin called timeout with 12:48 remaining.

UC badly missed Wright against Marquette’s full-court pressure in the second half. The Golden Eagles continued to connect from long range and pulled to within one point at 47-46 with 7:10 left. At that point, they were six-for-eight from long range in the second half.

Kilpatrick then drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key to put UC back on top by four. With the Bearcats still leading by four, Parker retrieved an offensive rebound and converted a jump shot in the lane to give UC a 55-49 lead with 4:57 to play. Marquette came right back to get within one again on two free throws by Gardner and a 3-pointer from the corner by Jamil Wilson with 3:59 left.

UC dominated the first half with its defense. The Bearcats, who almost always plays man-to-man, opened in a zone and it seemed to take the Golden Eagles by surprise. They missed 11 of their first 12 shots and never did get into any rhythm offensively.

With Marquette struggling to score, UC stayed in the zone for the entire first half. The Golden Eagles shot 17.9 percent (5-for-28) in the first half. The Golden Eagles’ 13 points were the fewest allowed by a UC team since Cronin became head coach in 2006.

Sanders made two quick 3-point shots early in the game as the Bearcats jumped out to an 8-2 lead. Kilpatrick struggled with his shot in the early going, but continued to fire away and eventually got results. He scored 13 points in the first half.

UC dominated the glass in the first half, out-rebounding Marquette, 26-18, with 10 offensvie rebounds that led to 10 points.

Things got a little testy late in the half when UC’s Nyarsuk and Marquette’s Gardner tumbled to the floor in pursuit of a rebound under the Marquette basket. The two players had to be separated after they got to their feet. Nyarsuk was called for a personal foul and both players were assessed a technical after the officials met with both head coaches at mid-court.

The Bearcats led, 25-9, after a Kilpatrick trey with 4:21 to play. The Golden Eagles closed to within 12, but UC scored the last four points of the half to take a 16-point advantage into halftime.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130...eakingnews

With Sean Kilpatrick, Bearcats always have a shot
By Paul Dehner Jr. on January 19, 2013 11:46 PM

Sean Kilpatrick's 36 points and game-winner willed a 71-69 victory against No. 25 Marquette in overtime and proved that no matter how difficult the situation this team can compete with anybody as long as No. 23 laces them up.

CINCINNATI -- Without Cashmere Wright, Sean Kilpatrick needed to take over the scoring responsibility for the Bearcats on Saturday.

Mick Cronin knew it. The UC players knew it. The 12,812 donned in red inside Fifth Third Arena knew it. And undeniably, Buzz Williams knew it.

With every breathing human inside the 513 area code aware stopping SK would be the key to a Golden Eagles victory, Kilpatrick still tossed the Bearcats on his back and handed No. 25 Marquette their first Big East loss.

He did so posting a career-high 36 points and his signature game as a Bearcat.

In college basketball, the teams who own players capable of taking over any game separate the good from great, great from elite. Because Sean Kilpatrick wears red and black, the Bearcats always have a chance.

Exhibit A: Cincinnati 71, Marquette 69.

Of course, Cronin didn't need to sit down and discuss an expanded scoring role with Kilpatrick before the game. It'd be the equivalent of discussing the need to boo refs with the student section.

"I don't ever have to say that to him," Cronin said with a laugh and smile. "You kidding me? Oh, man."

Firing seven 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes he only connected on one. Periodically, a Kilpatrick shot would carom off the backboard as if made of Flubber. Living the old adage that great shooters shoot their way out of it, Kilpatrick never stopped. His offensive method resembles that of his theory in life: head down, outwork everyone, stick to the plan.

Saturday, it led to 36 points and acrobatic, left-handed game-winner.

"Great scorers and great shooters don't stop shooting," Kilpatrick said at the interview table after going 5 of 14 from 3-point range and 11 of 23 from the field. "That's something I have carried on since I was a freshman here. I will never stop shooting because I know that coach and my teammates got that type of confidence in me. If that's something that's going to help us win and pull us over the top then that's what I'm going to do."

Even before his final syllables echoed off the back walls of the interview room, Titus Rubles sitting next to him snapped forward and interjected his analysis.

"He better not stop shooting," Rubles said.

SeanKil.jpgAlthough, despite burying deep 3-pointers and scoring seven of UC's eight points in the decisive overtime period, his willing UC to victory cut deeper than any bucket --- even the game-winner.

This became as much about intangibles and poise as passes and shots.

When Williams decided to place a suffocating faceguard tactic on Kilpatrick during the majority of the second half and into overtime, Cronin struggled to find ways to free his top scorer to even touch the ball on most possessions. Instead of forcing the issue, Kilpatrick willingly stood to the side and allowed the four-on-four advantage to shift to his teammates.

Many players would grow frustrated or mentally unravel. Not here.



"I'm kind of happy because we have four other scorers," Kilpatrick said. "These guys are just like me, I just play a little bit more minutes than them. I know that if they got the opportunity and the ball in their hands they are going to score."

That's always the case with Kilpatrick. He drew contact, hit 9-of-10 free throws, drove the lane, played defense. When it appeared he couldn't make any more winning plays, one that didn't register on the stat sheet proved to be the biggest of the night. Somehow he chased down what assured to be a critical Rubles turnover by darting unscripted across the court, tiptoeing the sideline with a balancing act that was half-gymnast, half-amazing. It sucked valuable seconds off the clock and extended the late lead to three.

Those intangibles are instinctual and the types of plays elite players find a way to make.

"I looked at Ge'Lawn (Guyn) like, 'he's a little too short to catch this so let me at least run and try to save it at least,'" he said. "I was just happy I didn't step on that line. If I would have I would have had to hear it from the little guy."

He won't hear much from Cronin, except maybe a hard time about the postgame description. There's not much else to say about what Kilpatrick brings to this team. He's endured struggles of late and even a questioning from fans and media alike as to where the SK tabbed first-team All-Big East preseason disappeared to.

He reminded everyone Saturday he never left. No matter how intently a team face guards or strategizes on slowing him down, what occurred against Marquette is always a possibility. And talk as much as you want about a supporting cast still in need of more contribution, a team with inconsistencies on the interior or even how injuries can hinder their journey into March.

They have Sean Kilpatrick. Nobody else does. That always gives them a chance. Just ask Marquette.

I want to hear from you. Let me know any questions, comments or your own feelings about Sean Kilpatrick via email to pauldehnerjr@gmail.com or hit me up on Twitter at @pauldehnerjr.

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