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Bearcats Beat Commodores, 88-72 12/10/2004
Bearcats Beat Commodores, 88-72 CINCINNATI, Ohio — Despite a 17-point performance from junior guard Mario Moore, the Commodores were unable to hand 20th-ranked Cincinnati its first lost of the season. The Bearcats posted an 88-72 victory over Vanderbilt Thursday night. Box Score (AP) — Armein Kirkland and James White did not allow a slow beginning to halt Cincinnati’s unbeaten run. Kirkland scored 19 points and White added 14 as 20th-ranked Cincinnati rebounded from a slow start to post an 88-72 victory over Vanderbilt. The Commodores opened a 19-10 lead with 12:12 remaining in the first half on the strength of 3-pointers by Mario Moore, Dawid Przybyszewski and Shan Foster. But White and Kirkland combined for 15 points over the next seven-plus minutes to lead a 25-7 charge by the Bearcats (5-0). “I think this is the best our offense has flowed this year,” said White, who had three of Cincinnati’s 14 steals. “Everybody worked together. We passed the ball well in the first half. We worked together as a team, both offensively and defensively.” Przybyszewski’s 3-pointer and Jason Holwerda’s layup shaved Vanderbilt’s deficit to 35-31 with 3:43 remaining in the half. But Jihad Muhammad, who scored 11 points and had four steals, countered with a 3-pointer as Cincinnati scored the final nine points to take a 46-31 lead into the break. Vanderbilt climbed within 68-59 with 8 1/2 minutes left, but Kirkland responded with a 3-pointer as the Bearcats rolled to victory. “Our ball movemment was better tonight, but it’s still not where it needs to be,” Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins said. “We did some good things, but when we got up, we started to get stagnant again and stand around.” All five starters reached double figures for the Bearcats, who shot a season-high 53 percent (35-of-59). “I thought we shot better because we were stepping into our shots,” Huggins said. “Our passes were crisp and we were going to areas where we could get some good shots.” Jason Maxiell responded to a scolding from Huggins by scoring 15 of his 18 points in the second half as Cincinnati took advantage of the Commodores’ season-high 23 turnovers. The senior forward also grabbed 12 rebounds. “We can’t turn it over 23 times to their seven and expect to win,” Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings said. “We’re disappointed that we didn’t take care of the ball. Several turnovers were unforced.” Przybyszewski added 13 for Vanderbilt (4-4), which has lost four of its last five games. |
