Friday, March 9
New York, NY
7 p.m.
Syracuse University
68
vs
71
Cincinnati
Waiters scored a career-high 28 points against Cincinnati
Cincinnati Holds Off 2/2 Syracuse, 71-68
3/9/2012 7:48:52 PM | Men's Basketball
Box Score | Season Stats | Syracuse Quotes | Game Notes
NEW YORK – Dion Waiters scored a career-high 28 points but the University of Cincinnati (24-9) was able to hold off a second half charge by 2/2 Syracuse (31-2) to defeat the Orange 71-68 in the BIG EAST Tournament semifinals at Madison Square Garden.
Waiter's was 8-of-16 for the contest and made a career-high seven triples. Fab Melo had 11 points as he was the only other SU players to score in double-figures. #C.J. Fair# had a game-high 11 rebounds. Cincinnati was led by Yance Gates and Sean Kilpatrick who had 18 points each. All of Kilpartick's baskets were from behind the arch.
The Orange shot 40 percent (23-of-57) and was 13-of-29 from long range. The Bearcats shot 46 percent (25-of-55) and made 10 three's; eight of which were in the first half.
The Bearcats scored the first seven points of the game and connected on its first four shots, including two from behind the arch, and would lead 12-6 at the first media timeout.
Cincinnati continued its hot shooting and took a 25-8 lead when Chasmere Wright hit the Beartcats' fifth three-pointer of the half and forced SU into a timeout 10 minutes into the game.
Wright then gave the Bearcats' its largest lead of the game at 34-17 with 5:45 remaining in the opening half by hitting from the top of the key. The Orange would score six of the final seven points of the half and trailed at intermission, 35-23; it's largest halftime deficit of the season.
The two teams each score six points out of the break, but Waiters brought Syracuse within single digits for the first time since it was 16-8 by hitting a three, cutting the Cincinnati advantage to 41-32.
With the Orange trailing 49-39, Brandon Triche scored five straight points for Syracuse, and off his made three-pointer, SU stole the inbounds pass and Waiters was fouled going to the hoop. He made 1-of-2 and brought the score to 51-45 with 8:56 remaining.
Waiters then brought SU within five (53-48) by connecting on his fifth three pointer with 8:23 left. The sophomore added to his career night by hitting his sixth from distance, which Melo followed that up with an offensive rebounds and slam to bring SU within three at 58-55 with 3:09 left.
But the Bearcats would score the next seven points, including Kilpatrick hitting his sixth triple of the game and pushed the lead back to 10 with 1:47 remaining.
Syracuse would have one last run as Scoop Jardine, Kris Joseph and Waiters connected on 3's and brought the score to 68-66 with 17 second remaining. The Orange would foul on the ensuing inbounds pass and JaQuon Parker made 1-of-2.
Waiters was then fouled with five second remaining and made both free throws, but the Bearcats successful broke Syracuse's full court pressure for an uncontested dunk with one second left. Waiters' desperation heave from his own free throw line came up short as Cincinnati held on for the victory.
The Orange will now await its destination for the NCAA Tournament which will be revealed on Sunday night at 6:00 p.m.
NEW YORK – Dion Waiters scored a career-high 28 points but the University of Cincinnati (24-9) was able to hold off a second half charge by 2/2 Syracuse (31-2) to defeat the Orange 71-68 in the BIG EAST Tournament semifinals at Madison Square Garden.
Waiter's was 8-of-16 for the contest and made a career-high seven triples. Fab Melo had 11 points as he was the only other SU players to score in double-figures. #C.J. Fair# had a game-high 11 rebounds. Cincinnati was led by Yance Gates and Sean Kilpatrick who had 18 points each. All of Kilpartick's baskets were from behind the arch.
The Orange shot 40 percent (23-of-57) and was 13-of-29 from long range. The Bearcats shot 46 percent (25-of-55) and made 10 three's; eight of which were in the first half.
The Bearcats scored the first seven points of the game and connected on its first four shots, including two from behind the arch, and would lead 12-6 at the first media timeout.
Cincinnati continued its hot shooting and took a 25-8 lead when Chasmere Wright hit the Beartcats' fifth three-pointer of the half and forced SU into a timeout 10 minutes into the game.
Wright then gave the Bearcats' its largest lead of the game at 34-17 with 5:45 remaining in the opening half by hitting from the top of the key. The Orange would score six of the final seven points of the half and trailed at intermission, 35-23; it's largest halftime deficit of the season.
The two teams each score six points out of the break, but Waiters brought Syracuse within single digits for the first time since it was 16-8 by hitting a three, cutting the Cincinnati advantage to 41-32.
With the Orange trailing 49-39, Brandon Triche scored five straight points for Syracuse, and off his made three-pointer, SU stole the inbounds pass and Waiters was fouled going to the hoop. He made 1-of-2 and brought the score to 51-45 with 8:56 remaining.
Waiters then brought SU within five (53-48) by connecting on his fifth three pointer with 8:23 left. The sophomore added to his career night by hitting his sixth from distance, which Melo followed that up with an offensive rebounds and slam to bring SU within three at 58-55 with 3:09 left.
But the Bearcats would score the next seven points, including Kilpatrick hitting his sixth triple of the game and pushed the lead back to 10 with 1:47 remaining.
Syracuse would have one last run as Scoop Jardine, Kris Joseph and Waiters connected on 3's and brought the score to 68-66 with 17 second remaining. The Orange would foul on the ensuing inbounds pass and JaQuon Parker made 1-of-2.
Waiters was then fouled with five second remaining and made both free throws, but the Bearcats successful broke Syracuse's full court pressure for an uncontested dunk with one second left. Waiters' desperation heave from his own free throw line came up short as Cincinnati held on for the victory.
The Orange will now await its destination for the NCAA Tournament which will be revealed on Sunday night at 6:00 p.m.
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