SB Nation Boston - Cincinnati 70, UConn 67: No. 11 Huskies Upset By Big East Foe Bearcatshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2012-01-18T22:40:17-05:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24814082012-01-18T22:40:17-05:002012-01-18T22:40:17-05:00Cincinnati 70, UConn 67: Sean Kilpatrick, Bearcats Upset No. 11 Huskies
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<p>Storrs, CT (<a href="http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cbask/news/news.aspx?id=4466751">Sports Network</a>) - Cincinnati lived by the three and almost died by it, too.</p>
<p>But when the final seconds ticked off, the Bearcats got their seventh straight road win in the Big East after escaping a rally in the final minutes to knock off the reigning NCAA champions on their own court.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/125920/sean-kilpatrick">Sean Kilpatrick</a> knocked down a tiebreaking three-pointer with 2.5 seconds left Wednesday night, and Cincinnati beat No. 13 Connecticut, 70-67, in a thrilling finish at Gampel Pavilion.</p>
<p>Cincinnati's 11th three-pointer of the game finally finished off the Huskies, coming after <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123385/shabazz-napier">Shabazz Napier</a> tied the game with a three at the other end.</p>
<p>Kilpatrick scored 16 points to lead Cincinnati (15-4, 5-1 Big East) while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52402/cashmere-wright">Cashmere Wright</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52404/yancy-gates">Yancy Gates</a> scored 13 apiece. The Bearcats' in-conference road winning streak includes three games this season -- all over ranked teams.</p>
<p>Napier had a game-high 27 points for the Huskies (14-4, 4-3) including a trio of three-pointers in the last 1 1/2 minutes. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123382/jeremy-lamb">Jeremy Lamb</a> added 14 points and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123383/niels-giffey">Niels Giffey</a> had 10.</p>
<p>After Kilpatrick's go-ahead three, Giffey got the inbounds pass and hit the rim on a 70-foot heave at the buzzer, although the shot didn't show up in the box score and may not have counted.</p>
<p>Either way, Connecticut fell for the third time in five games with its final non-conference test of the season ahead at Tennessee on Saturday.</p>
<p>The Bearcats have won 10 of their last 11 games overall and continued their best start in Big East play since joining the conference before the 2005-06 season. They have also won road games at Pittsburgh and Georgetown this year and will get a chance to extend their streak at West Virginia on Saturday.</p>
<p>Cincinnati led by as many as 12 points in the first half and was ahead by eight with under three minutes remaining in the game before Napier pulled up for a three-pointer near the top of the arc to get UConn within 65-60.</p>
<p>After <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52403/dion-dixon">Dion Dixon</a> went 1-for-2 at the line, Napier drained a three from the right side to make it a three-point game. Dixon and Napier exchanged free throws after that and Napier hit his third three-pointer in the final minute, again from the right side, to tie the game.</p>
<p>At the other end, however, Kilpatrick dribbled on the right side and pulled up near the top to bury his go-ahead shot, helping the Bearcats end a two-game losing streak to UConn.</p>
<p>Kilpatrick and Wright scored 10 points apiece in the first half to lead Cincy to a 42-33 advantage at the break.</p>
<p>The Bearcats were 6-for-10 on three-pointers at one point and had a 31-19 lead, but UConn closed the gap later in the half with the help of a 9-0 run.</p>
<p>Game Notes</p>
<p>Cincinnati ended 11-for-26 on three-pointers and shot 41.9 percent overall...UConn shot 44.1 percent, including 6-of-16 from three-point range, and still owns a 7-3 advantage in the all-time series.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/connecticut-huskies/2012/1/18/2717777/cincinnati-70-uconn-67-sean-kilpatrick-bearcats-upset-no-11-huskiesbostonsportsguy172012-01-18T19:32:56-05:002012-01-18T19:32:56-05:00UConn Vs. Cincinnati: No. 11 Huskies Battle Big East Rival Bearcats
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<p>The No. 11 UConn Huskies continue Big East play on Wednesday night, as they will face their conference rival Cincinnati Bearcats at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut (TV: ESPN) </p> <p style="text-align: -webkit-left;">Storrs, CT (<a href="http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cbask/news/news.aspx?id=4466651">Sports Network</a>) - The 13th-ranked Connecticut Huskies put their unblemished home record on the line this evening, as they welcome the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/cincinnati-bearcats">Cincinnati Bearcats</a> to Storrs, for a Big East affair at Gampel Pavilion. </p>
<p>Mick Cronin's Bearcats have certainly had their ups and downs this season, including an ugly brawl in early December with city rival Xavier. Since then, the team has been on a tear, winning nine of its last 10 games. Cincinnati moved to 4-1 in the Big East this past weekend with an 82-78 win at home over Villanova.</p>
<p>The defending national champions opened the 2011-12 campaign with 12 wins in the first 13 games. However, the Big East slate always presents challenges and Jim Calhoun's Huskies felt the brunt of that with back-to-back losses to Seton Hall and Rutgers following the turn of the calendar year. UConn has gotten back to its winning ways of late, posting consecutive wins over West Virginia (64-57) and Notre Dame (67-53) to move to 4-2 in league play.</p>
<p>This is the 10th all-time meeting between these two teams. Connecticut has won seven of the previous nine meetings, and has won each of the last two matchups, including a 69-58 victory in the second-round of last year's NCAA Tournament.</p>
<p>The Bearcats overcame a superhuman effort from Villanova's Maalik Wayns (39 points), coming from behind to post a four-point win over the Wildcats this past weekend at Fifth Third Arena. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52403/dion-dixon">Dion Dixon</a> led the way for Cincinnati with 22 points. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52404/yancy-gates">Yancy Gates</a> poured in 16 points in support, while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/125920/sean-kilpatrick">Sean Kilpatrick</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52402/cashmere-wright">Cashmere Wright</a> chimed in with 14 and 11 points, respectively. The Bearcats aren't really known as an explosive offensive team this season, rather relying heavily on the play at the defensive end. Cincinnati is 21st nationally in scoring defense (58.8 ppg), holding opponents to just .403 shooting overall. In addition, the team forces just over 16 turnovers per game. The Bearcats do have several options at the offensive end, with four of the five starters currently averaging double figures, led by Kilpatrick's 16.2 ppg. Kilpatrick is responsible for more than a third of the team's total three-pointers (144), amassing 50 treys thus far. Dixon is next in the scoring column at 14.1 ppg. Yates is the resident muscle down low with 12.3 points and a team-best 8.9 rebounds per game. Wright adds 10.3 ppg and is the team's top distributor at 4.8 apg.</p>
<p>Connecticut already possesses a dynamic backcourt with All-American candidate <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123382/jeremy-lamb">Jeremy Lamb</a> and sophomore sensation <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123385/shabazz-napier">Shabazz Napier</a>, but as the season wears on, it is apparent that freshman center <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/144204/andre-drummond">Andre Drummond</a> is going to provide the kind of dominance down low that will give the defending champs great balance. Recently named the Big East Rookie of the Week for the fourth time this season, Drummond is starting to feel his own in the middle. The 6-10, 270- pound youngster has played extremely well of late, upping his numbers to 10.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 45 blocks. Of course, the offense funnels through Lamb and Napier. Lamb is still shooting over 50 percent from the floor at this late juncture and is averaging 17.9 ppg. Napier has the ability to both fill up the basket (13.9 ppg) and get others involved (6.2 apg). Napier led the way in the win over Notre Dame last time out, finishing with 16 points and five assists. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99998/alex-oriakhi">Alex Oriakhi</a> added 12 points and seven rebounds to the cause. Drummond and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123386/roscoe-smith">Roscoe Smith</a> both chipped in with 10 points, with Drummond completing a double-double with 13 rebounds. Lamb played the entire 40 minutes, but was neutralized, going 3-of-11 from the floor and finishing with just six points.</p>
<p><i>For more UConn Huskies coverage, visit <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/connecticut-huskies">our team page</a> and blog, <a href="http://www.theuconnblog.com/">The UConn Blog</a></i></p>
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