TicketsDec. 30, 2005
CINCINNATI, Ohio -The University of Cincinnati showed that it is very close to being ready for next week's start of play in its inaugural season in the BIG EAST Conference in a 105-69 thrashing of North Carolina A&T.
Six Bearcats scored in double figures, led by a career-high 24 points from Eric Hicks. Devan Downey recorded his first college double-double, passing for a career-high 11 assists to go with his 13 points. The offense featured a .552 field goal percentage and a season-best 25 assists in generating105 points, matching the team's season scoring high.
The only negatives were a less-than-stingy .400 defensive field goal percentage. Though UC finished with a 40-35 rebounding advantage, the Bearcats struggled for most of the game to take control of play under the boards. UC's .750 free throw percentage paled when compared to the team's .794 season mark.
"I didn't even want to talk about the relevance of being in the BIG EAST prior to us taking care of our non-league," stated head coach Andy Kennedy. "I certainly think we've done some things to improve. I think that we've put ourselves in a position to compete in the BIG EAST."
Freshman point guard Downey was a little more emphatic. "I'm ready. I think I need a little more rest and a tune-up because competition is going to be out of this world. I think I am ready and the team is ready."
Hicks, who grabbed 10 rebounds for his 16th career double-double and added a season-high seven blocks, echoed those sentiments. "It is to the point where we have to take every game serious. This is what everybody has been looking forward to."
Cincinnati never trailed in picking up its 11th win against two setbacks, and its eighth straight victory. UC broke a 17-all tie with a 10-0 burst and led by as many as 20 in the first half. Hicks paced the quick start, scoring 16 of his 24 points in the first half. James White, limited to a season-low 10 points two nights earlier, tallied 12 in the first 20 minutes and finished with 23.
All five starters reached double digits. Cedric McGowan had 12 points and Armein Kirkland 11. Sub big man Ronald Allen contributed 11 points. The lone Bearcat not to make the scoring column was walk-on Pat Watt.
Michael Hayes came off the bench to score 14 points for the Aggies, who fell to 0-10.
Rather than reflecting on the victory, the Bearcats looked ahead to the beginning of the BIG EAST season.
"I think the anticipation of the BIG EAST is directly upon us," stated Kennedy. "I, for one, am excited about it. I know our kids will be excited about it."
UC launches play in their new conference against an old rival, DePaul, on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Fifth Third Arena. The tip-off has been changed to 7 p.m. EST.
NOTES:
- Eric Hicks' seven blocked shots, one shy of his career high, extended his streak of games with at least one block to 12. He has 29 blocks in his last seven games and has had a rejection in 43 of his last 45 contests.
- Hicks' career-high 24 points put him over the 900-point milestone in career scoring. The senior has 905 points.
- James White's season-high 23 points extended his streak of double figure scoring games to 13. He also set a career high for steals with four.
- Devan Downey's career-high 11 assists gave him 21 assists over his last three games.
- Armein Kirkland topped the 700-point mark in career scoring and finished with 705.
- It was the first time this season that UC had six players reach double figures in scoring and the seventh time that at least five Bearcats have reached double digits.
- UC extended its current win streak to eight games, the longest since last year's Bearcats opened the 2004-05 season with 11 straight victories.