TicketsFeb. 7, 2010
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CINCINNATI - Ibrahima Thomas notched 13 points and was one of three University of Cincinnati (14-9, 5-6 BIG EAST) players to score in double figures, but the Bearcats fell to No. 3/4 Syracuse (23-1, 10-1 BIG EAST), 71-54, on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena.
Thomas added seven rebounds to his UC career-high 13 points and scored UC's first bucket in both halves. Lance Stephenson scored 10 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds while Yancy Gates scored 11 points for the Bearcats.
The Bearcats made their first three attempts from the floor and rattled off a 15-6 run in the first six minutes of the game, getting nine points from Thomas during that time. A 3-pointer by Syracuse's Scoop Jardine started an 11-0 run and gave the Orange its first lead of the game, 17-15, with 8:16 on the clock.
Larry Davis snapped UC's 6:10 scoring draught with a 3-pointer and Stephenson drove the lane and completed a 3-point play the old fashioned way, giving UC a 21-17 advantage with 7:13 left in the period. Another Syracuse 3-pointer, this time by Andy Rautins, ended UC's run and an Orange free throw tied the game at 21.
Stephenson drained a long-range 3-pointer and Deonta Vaughn picked up a steal and a fast break layup, allowing UC to retake the lead, 26-21. Rautins and Jardine each hit three's to give Syracuse a lead and after the two teams traded baskets for 1:42, Syracuse closed out the half on a 3-0 run, holding a 32-30 advantage at halftime.
Cincinnati chipped away at the Orange lead in the second half, using a 17-11 run over 5:57 to take two leads, 42-41, and its last lead, 49-43, with 12:26 left to play. Rautins hit a jumper at the 12:12 mark, sparking an 8-0 run that gave Syracuse the last lead it needed, 51-49, at 9:42. The Orange closed out the game on a 28-5 run and held the Bearcats scoreless from the floor for the final 8:16 of the game, winning, 71-54.
Andy Rautins had a game-high 20 points for Syracuse while Kris Joseph had 15, Arinze Onuaku and Scoop Jardine each had 11 points. Rick Jackson pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for the Orange.
Cincinnati will return to action on Feb. 13 with a two-game road swing. UC will play at Connecticut on Feb. 13 at Noon and at USF on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.