#7 Cincinnati 77, UCF 49: Bearcats Thrash Knights On The Road
By Chris Bains
Jan 23, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Mick Cronin speaks to star players Titus Rubles (2) and Justin Jackson (5) during the second half of the game against the Central Florida Knights at Fifth Third Arena. The Cincinnati Bearcats defeated the Central Florida Knights 69-51. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports
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That was a fun one.
The Cincinnati Bearcats absolutely dominated the UCF Knights on the road from start to finish. Central Florida led for about three seconds before UC stared to exert their dominance on their lesser opponent. From the five minute mark onward, Cincinnati held roughly a 20 point lead that they would never relinquish. UC wound up winning by 28, forced 18 turnovers, and caused Central Florida to shoot just 30% from the field. It was a Bearcats beat down at its finest.
Individually, Cincinnati got another stellar performance out of Sean Kilpatrick. The senior put 23 on the board, making it the sixth game out of the last seven that he recorded more than 20 points. Perhaps most importantly, Kilpatrick overtook Steve Logan as the second all-time leading scorer in Cincinnati Bearcats history. He trails Oscar Robertson by about 1,000 points but his spot at number two will be difficult to be overtaken. Kilpatrick has been instrumental in the recent rise in UC basketball but etching his name among the program’s greats only solidifies his importance to Cincinnati.
So now the Bearcats are 13-1 in the AAC with an enormous matchup with the 11th ranked Louisville Cardinals on Saturday at noon. This won’t be an easy game, they never are when it involves UL, but the good news is that Cincinnati gets them at home. If UC takes them down, it will only strengthen their lead in the conference and move them one step closer to securing an AAC title.