Cincinnati Bearcats Showing Resiliency.

Jan 30, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Justin Jackson (5) walks off the floor after beating the Louisville Cardinals at KFC Yum! Center. Cincinnati defeated Louisville 69-66. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Wow, what a game at the KFC Yum! Center last night in Louisville, between the top two teams in the American Athletic Conference.

Mick Cronin and the No 13 Cincinnati Bearcats got off to a great start, led at halftime 28-20. Junior Jermaine Sanders hit a jumper from the left hand corner to give Cincinnati a 44-27 lead with 16 minutes left to go. I was definitely not comfortable knowing No. 12 Louisville Cardinals would essential make a run.

Senior Titus Rubels picked up a  technical foul at the 15 mintue mark, which I am still wondering what the heck did he do, it changed the momentum of the game. The Cardinals went on a big run and suffocated the Bearcats with their pressure defense. The leadership of this team was definitely tested during the Cards’ big run.

Cincinnati could have easily folded during the stretch, but thanks to the three toughest Senior leaders in the country, said Cronin after the game would not let it happen. Senior Sean Kilpatrick finished the game with 28 points including four huge free throws in the final 8 seconds to help Cincinnati earn a big statement 69-66 win over rival Louisville. Kilpatrick made all of his 11 free throws, and I said before the game if the Bearcats turned the ball over 10 + times, they will have no shot to win. The team had 20 and still won the game.

The defense was strong relatively in the first half and the last five minutes of the game. Senior Justin Jackson played with a sprained left ankle, finished the game with 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and two blocks. His presence was definitely needed big time.

The leaders of the Bearcats Rubels, Kilpatrick, Jackson were able to make plays needed to earn a win and continue to hold a grip on first place in the AAC. The leadership and the resiliency is why this Bearcats team have the potential to do something special in the next two months.