CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

Wednesday night the city was focused on the annual Crosstown Shootout. Mick Cronin's UC Bearcats outplayed, outhustled and outcoached their more talented crosstown foes for a 67-57 win. Sean Miller's previously nationally ranked Xavier University Musketeers looked soft in the tough loss but one game does not a season make. XU still has the players and the depth to go a long way and do well when March Madness arrives. UC has the heart but not the talent or depth to sustain a run in the Big East and get into the tournament...or do they?

On the high school hardwood Friday night, Mariemont fell to Indian Hill 65-52 and are now 3-1. Fenwick beat Dayton Carroll 63-59 to go to 1-3. Hamilton High lost to Lakota West 43-34 and are 2-1. Winton Woods beat Harrison 52-38 and moved to 4-1.

On Saturday afternoon, UC met 4th ranked Ohio State University in Indianapolis in the John Wooden Classic and got manhandled 72-50. The Bearcats (7-3) were down 16-12 with 9 minutes left in the first half and ended the half behind 42-14 to effectively end the game. Cincinnati missed its first 18 shots from behind the 3-point line. UC's leading scorer, freshman Deonta Vaughn, playing in his home town, had a miserable afternoon and finished with just 5 points. John Williamson was the only bright spot for the Cats with 17 points and 16 rebounds.

Saturday evening, Xavier took to the court in Cintas Center against Pac-10 foe Arizona State University Sun Devils. XU (8-3) won going away 76-58. The visitors from out West jumped to an early lead but the Musketeers stemmed the tide, took the lead and kept the game under control the rest of the way. Justin Doellman from Union, Kentucky had a season high 19 points to go with 6 rebounds to lead the Muskies. Justin Cage had 17 points and 7 rebounds. Johnny Wolf really got the Muskies going when he was in there.

No Bengals' game this week; not even an arrest. They play tonight. Are you ready for some football?