Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Cincinnati
Xavier Falls 67-57 at Cincinnati
12.13.06 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 13, 2006
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CINCINNATI - Senior forward Justin Cage and junior forward Josh Duncan each scored 14 points but it was not enough as the Xavier University men's basketball team dropped a 67-57 decision to Cincinnati in the 2006 Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout at Fifth Third Arena. With the loss, Xavier falls to 7-3 on the year while the Bearcats improve to 7-2.
Cage's 14 came on 5-of-8 shooting and Duncan was 4-of-5 from the floor. Senior forward Justin Doellman snared a team-high six rebounds for Xavier.
After trailing 32-29 at the half, XU fell behind 49-39 with 13-minutes remaining in regulation but went on a 10-1 tear over the next 5:30, closing to within one point. The run was sparked by six points from Cage and capped with a Brandon Cole lay-up.
However, XU went cold offensively and did not convert on another field goal for the next 6:30. UC seized the opportunity and charged out to a 13-3 run to take command of the game with a 63-52 lead with under one-minute to go.
UC won the battle of the boards by a 38-to-35 margin, and held a 17-to-10 edge on the offensive glass. The Bearcats took advantage of 18 XU turnovers, converting the Xavier miscues into 22 points.
The Musketeers held UC to just 35 percent (21-of-60) shooting but the Bearcats were 19-of-26 (73.1 percent) from the charity stripe.
Xavier took its largest lead of the first half, 24-17, when Doellman converted on a put-back with 5:20 remaining. Cincinnati answered though and ended the half on 15-5 run. Cedric McGowan capped the UC run with a 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded, giving the Bearcats a 32-29 lead at intermission.
XU will be back in action on Saturday, December 16 when the team squares-off with Arizona State. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Cintas Center.
