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Cincinnati Is Upset by Xavier

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From Associated Press

No profane taunts, no technical fouls, no on-court tussles. The city of Cincinnati’s basketball rivalry was more civil this time around.

Until Xavier got them again, that is.

Lionel Chalmers scored 20 points and hit a fadeaway jump shot with 27 seconds left Tuesday night, leading host Xavier to a 71-69 victory over No. 10-ranked Cincinnati.

The Musketeers (11-9) pulled off another stunning upset of their cross-town rival by getting big games from their two senior guards.

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Chalmers repeatedly drove to the basket and made floating jump shots over the outstretched arms of the Bearcats’ brawnier front line.

Romain Sato had 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for Xavier.

Cincinnati (15-3) has lost six of its last eight games against Xavier, which usually plays its best against its cross-town rival.

That eight-year stretch includes two upsets when Cincinnati was ranked No. 1.

Cincinnati Coach Bob Huggins criticized Xavier fans in the days before the game, and Bearcat players said the game was more important to the Musketeers -- a way of belittling the small Jesuit school.

Chalmers would have none of it.

“Our fans were amazing,” he said. “That had a lot to do with the win. Those guys talk trash.”

After a pause, Chalmers added, “By the way, we’ve still got the trophy.”

They do, thanks to Chalmers.

He made a three-point basket that tied the score for the third and final time in the second half. Two minutes later, he stepped back from a double-team and made an 18-foot jump shot for a 70-69 lead with 27 seconds left.

No. 9 Kentucky 68, No. 21 Florida 65 -- Erik Daniels scored 22 points, and Cliff Hawkins had a crucial steal and scored four points in an 11-0 game-ending run for the Wildcats (15-3, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) at Gainesville, Fla.

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Hawkins’ poor free-throw shooting (one for 11) kept the outcome in doubt until Florida turned the ball over with one second to play.

Anthony Roberson scored 19 points for the Gators (13-6, 4-4), who haven’t beaten the Wildcats since March 2001.

No. 13 Oklahoma State 91, Texas A&M; 79 -- John Lucas scored 27 points, and Tony Allen had 13 of his 21 in the second half at College Station, Texas, helping the Cowboys (16-2, 6-1 Big 12) to their sixth consecutive victory.

The Aggies (7-11, 0-7) cut the deficit to 73-68 with 5:51 to play. They lost their seventh in a row.

Jesse King led the Aggies with 19 points.

Florida State 81, No. 15 Georgia Tech 65 -- Tim Pickett scored 25 of his career-high 33 points in the second half for the Seminoles, who beat a ranked team at home for the third consecutive game.

The Seminoles (16-6, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) made 16 consecutive free throws in the second half, when they broke open a close game with a 14-0 run to take a 73-56 lead as the Yellow Jackets went scoreless for more than six minutes.

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Ismail Muhammad had 14 points for Georgia Tech (16-5, 4-4), which was one for 13 from three-point range in the second half.

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No. 3 Texas 89, Missouri 55 -- Stacy Stephens extended her shooting streak, scoring 20 points to help lift the Longhorns (20-2, 8-1 Big 12) at Austin, Texas.

Stephens, who scored 28 points on 10-for-10 shooting against Texas Tech on Sunday, made her first six shots against Missouri (11-8, 2-6).

No. 21 Virginia Tech 64, Seton Hall 40 -- Ieva Kublina scored 23 points in only 26 minutes to lead the Hokies (17-4, 6-4 Big East) at Blacksburg, Va.

Seton Hall (12-8, 4-5) shot 25.5% from the field.

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