A Slow Start for Bearcat Basketball, But Men Stay Undefeated

Dec 15, 2012; Charleston, WV, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) is pressured by Marshall Thundering Herd center Nigel Spikes (11) during the first half at the Charleston Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA Today Sports

The Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team traveled to West Virginia on Saturday to take on the Marshall Herd. The men got off to a slow start, not getting their first score until JaQuon Parker put up two points after 2:14 had already ticked off of the clock in the first half of the game.

Marshall quickly answered though, and led the Bearcats with 16:11 on the clock 9-7. After Mitch Cronin pulled the team to the side, yelling and pointing fingers, the team came back out and quickly regained the lead. At halftime the score was 29-25, in favor of No. 11 Cincinnati.

The Bearcats scored 43 more in the second half of play and held Marshall to only 31 points after the half. The Herd turned the ball over 20 times and struggled at the free throw line, hitting just 14 of their 27 shots. The final score in Charleston was Cincinnati 72, Marshall 56.

Cashmere Wright led the team in points with 14, followed by Sean Kilpatrick with 13. Kilpatrick’s 13 points matched his season low, as he struggled throughout the night. Justin Jackson had a good all-around game with 10 points, one rebound, three assists, and three steals. Cheikh Mbodj put up nine points and four rebounds for Cincinnati.

UC is now 10-0 for the second time in three years. The undefeated Bearcats will go on face Xavier in the Crosstown Classic at US Bank Arena on Wednesday at 7:00 pm EST.