Xavier Surprises Cincinnati Again

David West scored 23 points as Xavier ditched its uptempo game and pounded the ball inside Thursday night to defeat 17th-ranked Cincinnati, 69-67, in their annual crosstown matchup at Cincinnati.

Xavier (6-2) overcame a 15-point first-half deficit and survived two close-up shots by Kenny Satterfield in the closing seconds as it beat the Bearcats (4-2) for the fourth time in five years.

Twice during that span, Xavier has pulled out last-second victories when the Bearcats were unbeaten and ranked No. 1. The record and the ranking weren’t as lofty, but the finish was just as pulsating.

West made six free throws and a putback during a 13-point run that gave Xavier its biggest lead, 64-57, with 4:08 to play.

Satterfield directed the Bearcats’ offense and had 26 points, including a steal at midcourt and a layup that put Cincinnati ahead, 67-65. One sloppy moment and two missed shots by Satterfield figured prominently in the finish.

Xavier’s Lloyd Price made the second of two free throws, then stole the ball from Steve Logan for a layup that made the score 68-67 with 32 seconds to play.

No. 16 Wisconsin 66, Temple 58--The Badgers shredded (6-1) Temple’s matchup zone with 14 three-point baskets and sophomore Ricky Bower scored a career-high 19 points at Philadelphia.

The loss was sixth in a row for the Owls (4-6), the longest losing streak in Coach John Chaney’s 19 seasons at Temple.

“We were prepared well for the zone,” said Bower said after making six of 11 three-point shots. “As a shooter, you know you’ll get a lot of open shots.”

Wisconsin made 14 of 28 three-point shots, and even during the game the questions could be heard as to whether it’s time for Chaney to abandon the matchup zone that has become his trademark.

WOMEN

No. 23 Wisconsin 86, Evansville 71--Tamara Moore scored 20 points and Jessie Stomski added 19 to lead the Badgers (5-3) over the Lady Aces (2-3) at Madison, Wis.

SOUTHLAND

Long Beach State 94, Cal State Dominguez Hills 62--Ramel Lloyd scored 21 points and Lemi Williams and Travis Reed each scored 20 to lead the 49ers (5-4) over the Toros (1-5) before a crowd of 1,861 at the Pyramid.

Long Beach dominated from the outset, outshooting Dominguez Hills, 58.7% to 33.9%, and outrebounding the Toros, 41-29.

Forward Reggie Williams led Dominguez Hills with 31 points, making seven of nine three-point shots and 10 of 14 overall.