TicketsNov. 1, 2006
Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery
CINCINNATI, Ohio - Head Coach Mick Cronin unveiled the new-look University of Cincinnati men's basketball team in the exhibition opener against regional foe Northern Kentucky on Wednesday night. Cincinnati debuted eight newcomers and a new uniform in the 87-42 win over NKU at Fifth Third Arena.
John Williamson led all scorers with 21 points, making 8-of-12 from the field. The former junior college All-American at Cincinnati State showed his versatility, connecting on 3-of-5 from behind the arc and adding a game-high seven rebounds.
The lone returning starter from a year ago, Cedric McGowan added 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor. The frontline duo of McGowan and Williamson were two of five UC players in double figure scoring, being joined by Marvin Gentry (11 points), Ronald Allen and Jamual Warren (10 each).
Deonta Vaughn had a productive first night as a Bearcat, scoring eight points and leading all players with seven assists. The Bearcats also dominated on the glass, holding a 42-19 rebounding advantage, due in part to Williamson's seven boards.
"Overall, I was very happy with our performance," rookie mentor Mick Cronin stated. "Our main goal was to out-hustle our opponent and we accomplished that."
"Our shot selection was excellent, I was really happy with how we shot the basketball," Cronin continued. "We were able to get some offensive rebounds just by jumping over them."
Williamson made his first four field goal tries, including two three pointers in the first half. The transfer from Columbus, Ohio native totaled 12 points at the intermission, leading a Bearcat attack that shot a staggering 65 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes.
UC blew the game open early, connecting on 9 of its first 13 field goal attempts. They claimed a 24-4 lead on Marvin Gentry's put-back less than 10 minutes into the game. The Bearcats had opened a massive 36-point cushion when Marcus Sikes converted on two free throws just before the half.
The Bearcats' suffocating defense allowed the Norse to convert just 2-of-13 field goal tries in the opening stanza. They also forced 17 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
Cincinnati, which shot 60 percent for the game, including 8-of-27 from three-point range, sprinted to a 45-point lead when Allen buried a jumper with 9:30 to play in the second half. From there, NKU began launching a bevy of threes as the Norse hoisted 20 treys in the second half, connecting on nine.
Late in the going, fan favorite Branden Miller electrified the home crowd with a two-hand dunk that pushed the Cincinnati lead to a game-high 46 for the final scoring margin.
Steven Wright led the NKU offense, which shot just 26 percent from the field for the evening, with nine points. The Bearcats return for a second tune-up before the regular season begins as the University of Ottawa visits Fifth Third Arena on Saturday, Nov. 4 for a 2:00 p.m. contest.
UC starts the regular season at home on Friday, Nov. 10 against Howard in the opening round of the Jim Thorpe Classic.