Cincinnati Bearcats’ Seniors Lit Up Memphis On Their Night.

Mar 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) salutes a the Bearcats crowd after defeating the Memphis Tigers 97-84 at Fifth Third Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout this season, Cincinnati relied on guard Sean Kilpatrick and foward Justin Jackson for the bulk of its offensive output. Foward Titus Rubels is emerging as a third weapon just in time for the postseason.

On Thursday night, Kilpatrick scored 34 points, and Rubles added a career high 24, helping No. 15 Cincinnati to a 97-84 victory over No. 20 Memphis.

Seniors Jackson, Kilpatrick and Rubels played their final game at Fifth Third Arena on Thursday.

The Bearcats kept alive their hopes of winning the American Athletic Conference in the league’s first season. To earn the top seed in the AAC tournament, Cincinnati needs to win at Rutgers and Louisville to lose at home to Connecticut tomorrow afternoon.

Cincinnati got a scare when Jackson left the game after a hard foul by Tigers forward Austin Nichols three minutes into the 2nd half. Jackson returned less than three minutes later after getting treatment on his right shoulder.

The Bearcats were efficient throughout the game with 13 assists and only three turnovers. They committed a total of 33 turnovers in the previous two games, both loses.

Memphis trailed by six at halftime began the second half running to cut the lead to one.

Kilpatrick’s lay-up opened up a 8-0 run that gave the Bearcats a 13- point lead.

The start of the game was perfect, Cincinnati went on a 14-0 run to build an 18-4 lead.

Jackson had a dominant first half with 11 points, 5 rebounds, three steals and a block. Kilpatrick scored 12 first half points.

The senior trio of Kilpatrick, Jackson, and Rubels finished the night with 71 points and ZERO turnovers.

Quote of the night: “One of the officials came by and said he had officiated Cincinnati six times this year and never seen Rubels play like that.” Memphis Head Coach Josh Pastner said.

We’ll take it, thank you Seniors!