MIDWEST REGIONAL : Cincinnati Edges Texas El Paso, 69-67

Guard Herb Jones scored 24 points, helping Cincinnati hold off Texas El Paso, 69-67, in an NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal Friday night before 14,388 at the Kemper Arena.

Cincinnati (28-4), which extended its winning streak to nine games, will face Memphis State (23-10) in the Midwest Regional championship game Sunday. The Bearcats defeated Memphis State three times this season in Great Midwest Conference games.

“It seems like every game we played against them, our shooters’ shots didn’t fall,” said Memphis State center Anthony Douglas.

“That’s been our main problem against them.”

Leading by 67-65 after Texas El Paso forward Johnny Melvin made a layup with 54 seconds remaining, Cincinnati ran the clock down to 20 seconds before getting the ball to guard Erik Martin, who was fouled on a drive. Martin made two free throws to give the Bearcats a four-point lead.

Texas El Paso forward Roy Horward missed a five-foot jumper, but Bearcat guard Anthony Buford fouled Miner forward Marlon Maxey as they battled for the rebound and Maxey made two free throws with nine seconds remaining to pull the Miners within twopoints.

But Cincinnati ran out the clock as the Miners failed to foul.

“It was a great effort on our kids’ part,” Cincinnati Coach Bob Huggins said.

“They (Texas El Paso) did a great job of changing the tempo, but our guys hung inthere.”

Center David Van Dyke led Texas El Paso (27-7) with 18 points before fouling out. Maxey added 14 and Melvin had 13.

Trailing by 14 points with 14:58 to play, the Miners went on an 18-7 run to pull to 62-59. The Miners had a chance to pull within one, but Maxey was called for a charging foul before he made a layup.

Jones scored 14 points and Anthony Buford added 12 points in the first half as Cincinnati took a 42-35 lead.

But the Bearcats, who shot 55.2% during the first half, shot 39.1% during the second as Texas El Paso got back into the game.