CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

The UC Bearcats traveled to Syracuse, NY on Wednesday night to play the Orangemen and lost a thriller 77-76. Cincinnati (9-8) trailed at one point in the second half by 19 points when they went on a charge and actually took the lead at 75-73 with 43 seconds left in the game. Marcus Sikes led the Cats with his career high 24 points. This is the fifth loss in a row for UC, the longest losing streak for the school in 19 years.

Xavier met the University of Massechusetts on Thursday night at Cintas Center and pulled out a close 83-77 A10 victory. Six Musketeers (13-5) scored in double figures in one of their best overall efforts of the year. They looked like a 'tournament team' today.

The Bengals lost their receivers coach to Atlanta this week and hired a veteran, Mike Sheppard, to take his place and work with Chad, TJ and the boys. There is a chance that their quarterback coach may be leaving for the co-ordinators job with the Carolina Panthers. Wait and see.

The high school scene this week went like this: Mariemont (7-5) lost to Maderia on Wednesday and Finneytown on Friday, Wilmington (10-3) beat Springfield North and Little Miami, Fenwick (3-9) got killed by Badin, Winton Woods (9-5) topped Roger Bacon but was edged by Anderson, Hamilton (9-5) lost to Oak Hills.

On Saturday afternoon, the Bearcats hosted the West Virginia Mountaineers at 5th/3rd Arena and came away with a hard fought over-time win, 96-83. Cincinnati trailed by 17 at one point in the game but fought back to take their first lead with about six minutes left in the game and held that lead until the one minute mark. They managed to tie the game on a Jamual Warren drive. In over-time they bounced right out to a comfortable lead and held it to the end. Marvin Gentry had a career high 32 points to lead the Cats in scoring. West Virginia (14-4) was leading the conference in scoring defense; allowing only 59 points per game. Go figure.

Xavier played in the City of Brotherly Love on Sunday afternoon and let a golden opportunity slip away. Its hard to win on the road in any league but its important to do so if you want a good spot in March Madness. The Musketeers lost to St. Josephs University 82-74. It was another game that you thought XU should win but just couldn't hang in there after leading by two at the half. Josh Duncan had 20 to lead Xavier (13-6) in scoring. Oh yes, the Hawk did keep flapping his wings for the whole game.

Reds pitching coach Vern Ruhl lost his year long battle with cancer last night. He was 55.