Martin’s Inside Job Gets Cincinnati Going

After No. 4 Cincinnati struggled through a sloppy and lackluster first half, center Kenyon Martin took charge and led the Bearcats to an 82-48 victory over Nicholls State on Monday night at Cincinnati.

Martin, playing tough inside, scored 11 points during a 20-5 spurt that opened the second half. He finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds, six steals and four blocked shots.

His all-around game rallied an out-of-sync lineup that committed 14 turnovers and made only seven of 20 shots from the foul line in the first half, when things got so bad that part of the student section booed.

“We just weren’t ready to play, that’s all I can say,” said Melvin Levett, who scored 14 points. “Any time you miss that many free throws, you’re not ready to play.”

The quick start in the second half did in Nicholls State (1-8) from Thibodaux, La., a member of the Southland Conference. The Colonels shot 33% from the field, had 32 turnovers and were in foul trouble from the outset.

Jermaine Tate, who transferred to Cincinnati from Ohio State a year ago, made his debut and picked up four fouls, including a technical, in eight minutes of the first half. He finished with three points and six rebounds.

Oregon 80, Santa Clara 65--A.D. Smith scored 17 points and Terik Brown added 15 to help the Ducks (5-1) pull away from the Broncos (2-5) in the second half at Santa Clara.

WOMEN

No. 4 Louisiana Tech 73, Texas Arlington 40--Tamicha Jackson scored 18 points and had six steals to help the Lady Techsters (7-1) overcome a slow start and win at Arlington, Texas.

No. 14 Clemson 88, Dartmouth 60--Amy Geren scored 17 points and Natasha Anderson had 16 as the Lady Tigers (8-0) earned their 19th home victory in a row.

Dartmouth (2-5) was within 15 points with 8:30 left.