TicketsFeb. 9, 2008
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -
John Williamson scored a season-high 22 points to lead Cincinnati to a 72-68 overtime win over Rutgers on Saturday night.
Sophomore Deonta Vaughn, who was held to just six points in regulation, came alive for the Bearcats in overtime scoring 13 points in the final five minutes of play.
Vaughn opened the extra period by single-handedly going on a 5-0 run to put UC ahead 61-56. He finished the overtime a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
For the second time in three games, senior point guard Jamual equaled his career high for rebounds, pulling down nine for Cincinnati (11-12, 6-5 Big East).
Corey Chandler finished with 16 points for Rutgers (10-15, 2-10), which lost its fourth straight. Hamady Ndiaye had 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocked shots, while Anthony Farmer scored 12 points.
Farmer sent the game into overtime when he made two free throws with 20.1 seconds left in regulation, tying the score at 56-56. Vaughn then scored the first seven points in the extra session to give the Bearcats a 63-56 lead with 3:10 remaining.
Rutgers eventually cut the deficit to four points, but the Bearcats took command as Vaughn sandwiched a jumper and two foul shots around two Farmer foul shots.
Marvin Gentry then sealed the win for Cincinnati by hitting two free throws with 31.6 seconds left.
UC finished the game with season-high 52 rebounds, the best single-game performance in Mick Cronin's two seasons at the helm. A total of five different UC pulled down six rebounds or more.
Cincinnati returns to Fifth Third Arena this coming Wednesday, Feb. 13 to open a two-game homestand again USF at 7 p.m.