CINCINNATI SPORTS LAST WEEK

On Wednesday, the beleaguered UC Bearcats hosted Providence at Fifth Third Arena and went down to their third straight loss 87-79. The Cats (now 10-5) fought hard throughout the game but couldn't overcome the Friars hot shooting. They hit 54% from the field.

On Thursday, XU hosted St. Louis University in their A-10 opener and cruised to a 70-44 win. Derrik Brown had 20 points for Xavier (now 12-2) against the much smaller Billikens.

Thursday night in Miami, University of Cincinnati grad Urban Meyer's Florida Gator squad won the NCAA football national championship.

On Saturday afternoon, UC tried again in the Big East entertaining number 5 Connecticut at the Shoe. The Cats played very hard and kept things close throughout but couldn't hold up to the powerful Huskies and lost 81-72. Deanta Vaughn had 19 but the Bearcats are now 10-6.

Xavier was in NYC to play Fordham on Sunday afternoon and looked like a well-oiled machine in taking apart the Rams 86-60. B.J. Raymond had 18 in the rout. The Muskies are now 13-2.