TicketsDec. 14, 2005
CINCINNATI, Ohio - After a shaky first half, which saw the University of Cincinnati clinging to a one-point lead against Ohio University, the Bearcats put together a dominating performance over the final 20 minutes and routed the visiting Bobcats, 86-58 on Wednesday night in Fifth Third Arena.
The win over the preseason Mid-American Conference favorites snapped UC's two-game home losing streak, the first time that has ever happened in the 17-year history of the building.
The Bearcats, 5-2, who led by only a 39-38 count at half, turned up the heat on both ends of the floor after intermission, outscoring OU 47-20 and shooting 63 percent from the field (20-32), while holding the Bobcats to just six field goals and 26 percent shooting after halftime.
Freshman point guard Devan Downey continues to play at a high level for the Bearcats as he was the dominant player on the floor by scoring a career-high 24 points. The 5-10 Downey also handed out a career-best five assists, while tying his season-high with four steals.
"He changes the game because he has a different pace than anyone else on the floor," said senior swingman James White, who contributed 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. "It is hard to guard him as you saw tonight - he is tough to stop, and he can change the game on defense also because he can get steals and get going in the open court."
Senior forward Armein Kirkland chipped in 11 points, including three three-pointers, while the power forward duo of Eric Hicks and Cedric McGowan combined for 16 points and 17 rebounds. Hicks also controlled the paint for UC, compiling a season best five blocked shots.
"I think Ohio is a good team and they will certainly win a lot of games," said UC first-year head coach Andy Kennedy. "I am hopeful that the rigors of the schedule we are playing are preparing us to have success when it really does count, but we have to take care of our business with these December games."
The win for the Bearcats was their second straight over a team that was undefeated at the time. UC knocked off previously unbeaten Vanderbilt last Saturday on the road before sending the Bobcats to their first loss of the season after four wins.
UC raced to an early 10-point lead in the first half at 21-11 before Ohio went on an impressive 20-4 run over the next 5:15 to lead 31-25 and silence Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats responded with a 14-7 run to finish the half and lead, 39-38.
Cincinnati blew the game open in the first 8:40 of the second half with a 25-7 run and put any hope of an OU comeback out of the Bobcats minds.
"I wish we would get started a little quicker, but the issue is still our upperclassmen not playing to their capabilities," Kennedy explained. "I did think our upperclassmen stepped up in the second half and made shots at an efficient rate that allowed us to get away from them."
The Bearcats shot a season-best 51 percent from the field for the game and held OU, the MAC's top shooting team at 47 percent, to just 32 percent while forcing the Bobcats into 18 turnovers. UC scored 46 points in the paint and had 23 fast break points as the Bearcats wore down OU in the second half.
"We came out in the second half and trusted each other. I think the Vandy game just let us know and showed us that we're a good team," Downey said. "I have just been calming down and playing and my teammates are starting to trust me and let me play."
Ohio was led by Sonny Troutman who scored 17 points and Whitney Davis, who came off the bench to add 10. Head coach Tim O'Shea was thoroughly impressed with an up close look at the Bearcats.
"I think Cincinnati is a vastly underrated team. In the second half, they played at a championship level," O'Shea said. "This team (UC) is going to do quite well if they stay healthy. Tonight, they took it to us and they are going to be a dangerous team."
The Bearcats return to action on Saturday night at Fifth Third Arena, hosting a Tennessee Tech team that is 6-1. Game time is 7 p.m. and it will be the opening round of the Las Vegas Holiday Classic. UC will host a second game in the four-game exempt tournament on Monday, Dec. 19 taking on Arkansas-Monticello, before traveling to Las Vegas to battle Dayton (Dec. 22) and LSU (Dec. 23).