TicketsDec. 6, 2012
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery 1 | Photo Gallery 2 | FOX Sports Ohio Postgame | Cronin Quotes | Player Quotes
CINCINNATI — The No. 11/12 University of Cincinnati men's basketball team recorded a school-record 23 steals and defeated Arkansas-Little Rock 87-53 Thursday evening at Fifth Third Arena.
The UC (8-0) defense was stout all game, limiting UALR (7-4) to 32 percent shooting and forcing 32 turnovers, which tied for the most in the Mick Cronin era. The Bearcats converted the Trojans' turnovers into 31 points, including 21 fast-break points.
Ten of 12 Bearcats produced at least one steal, including four with at least three. Junior forward Justin Jackson led with a career-high four steals, while totaling seven points, four rebounds and four assists, which tied his career best.
Sean Kilpatrick led all scorers with 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting. Senior center Cheikh Mbodj tied his career-high point total of 12, while junior center David Nyarsuk scored a career-high 12 points with a game-high seven rebounds. JaQuon Parker rounded out Cincinnati's double-digit scorers, adding 11 points, three steals, two rebounds and two assists.
UC extended its lead to 38 points at 63-25 at the 13:02 mark of the second half after going on an 11-0 run over a 1:49 span. Kilpatrick and Parker combined for nine points during that stretch.
The Bearcats produced their record-setting 21st steal with 6:12 left in the second half when forward Shaquille Thomas swiped the ball away from UALR point guard Leroy Isler near midcourt and picked the ball up for a fast-break dunk that put UC ahead 74-44.
Cincinnati relied on its defensive pressure to lock down the Trojans in the first half, forcing 18 turnovers and holding UALR to 32 percent shooting in the game's opening stanza.
After a slow start offensively, UC found its shooting touch midway through the first half as the Bearcats went on a 15-2 run over a span of 3:42 to take a 28-10 advantage.
UC went on to end the first half outscoring UALR 31-9 as it took a 44-17 halftime lead. The 17 points scored by the Trojans are tied for the second fewest allowed by the Bearcats in the first half this season.
Kilpatrick, Parker and Wright scored eight points apiece to lead all scorers in the first half, while Nyarsuk added seven on 3-for-3 shooting.
UC next takes on Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday at Fifth Third Arena beginning at 2 p.m. ET. The game will be televised by FOX SPorts Ohio.