TicketsDec. 9, 2006
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.-- If the Bearcats didn't come of age with their 80-71 win over Temple, then at the least they took a major step towards it.
Cincinnati rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final 13 minutes to defeat the Owls at the Lenape Trail Classic in Atlantic City. The contest was played in ancient Boardwalk Arena, a venue on the U.S. list of historic landmarks and was the site of the Miss American Pageant for over 60 years. The victory, which upped UC's record to 6-2, was vintage Bearcats, at least in the second half.
UC put the clamps on Temple scorers Dionte Christmas, Dustin Salisbery and Semaj Inges, who combined for 38 points in the first half and whose joint 11-of-18 shooting helped the Owls shoot 59 percent from the field in building a 46-39 halftime lead. That trio managed 17 points and Temple shot a cool 36 percent while being held to 25 points in the second stanza.
The Bearcats' offense was sparked by the usual leaders. Deonta Vaughn and Marcus Sikes tallied 17 points a piece. Jamual Warren recorded career highs with 16 points and seven rebounds. John Williamson notched his second double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Backups Marvin Gentry and Timmy Crowell played no small part, however. Their energy helped the Bearcats fashion an 18-0 scoring run during a 10:18 period in the second half that reversed the tempo and momentum of the game. The duo scored only two points, during the run, a layup by Gentry, but combined for four rebounds and a block as UC held Temple scoreless for over 11 minutes.
Williamson started the run with a pair of layups and Gentry's layup cut the margin to four points. Sikes hit three free throws, then put UC ahead for the first time in the game with a basket at the 7:43 mark.
In the closing minutes, Temple pressed UC, hoping to come back much like UAB did in last Saturday's loss. The Bearcats responded by taking much better care of the ball and made seven of eight foul shots in the final 1:16.
The first half was all Owls. Christmas' trey less five seconds into the contest set the tone and Temple led by as many as 16 points. The Bearcats responded in the last seven minutes of the half to cut the lead to single digits and prove to Temple--and themselves--that they were capable of winning.
UC will have little time for celebrating the victory. The Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout rivalry vs. Xavier takes place at Fifth Third Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 13, followed three days later with the much-anticipated matchup with Ohio State at the John Wooden Tradition in Indianapolis.