Bearcats Comeback Against Connecticut

Feb 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Justin Jackson (5) celebrates with the student section at the end of the game against the Connecticut Huskies at FifthThird Arena. Cincinnati defeated UConn 63-58. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

In front of an electric Fifth Third Arena the #7 Cincinnati Bearcats took on the #22 Connecticut Huskies in what may have been Cincinnati’s gutsiest performance of the season. Being down by 10 points at one point the Bearcats came storming back led once again by senior Sean Kilpatrick.

In front of 12,500 fans, the largest crowd of the season so far Cincinnati got off to an even start with Connecticut, as the two teams traded baskets for the first six minutes until Connecticut started to pull away. Led by Ryan Boatright and Niels Giffey the Huskies took their lead to 10 points with 2 minutes left in the first half. Thankfully Ge’Lawn Guyn and Justin Jackson cut the lead to five points before the half. Kilpatrick had a chance to cute the lead to three or two points but failed to knock down a jumper at the buzzer.

Cincinnati needed to come out in the second half and play stronger defense and start hitting shots from the field. They did not do that to start the half, but they did keep the score between 4 and 5 points. With nine minutes left in the game Sean Kilpatrick threw down a dunk that absolutely changed the momentum of the game. Fifth Third has not been that loud in years.

Following that dunk that cut the lead to three Cincinnati come storming back a Justin Jackson dunk then lay up gave Cincinnati their first lead since 12 minutes left in the first half. Sean Kilpatrick would knock down a three with about five minutes left and Cincinnati would not look back winning 63-58.

The #22 team in the country gave Cincinnati all they could handle, Connecticut and Cincinnati go back a few years in the original Big East, everyone knew this game would not be easy. With their win though Cincinnati improves to 22-2 (11-0) and they have now won 15 in a row.

Sean Kilpatrick had a double double tonight with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Justin Jackson scored 15 points on a night that he ran into foul trouble. Thankfully though Cincinnati got contributions from everyone tonight including freshman Jermaine Lawrence who returned from a foot injury.

Cincinnati travels to SMU this Saturday at 7:30pm on ESPNU, this could potentially be a very close game, tune in.