Ohio roundup: UC wins with eyes toward postseason
Cincinnati forward Yancy Gates shoots against Seton Hall forward Patrik Auda during the first half. The Bearcats won 62-57.
Dion Dixon knows time is running out for the Cincinnati Bearcats to make their case for an NCAA Tournament bid.
The senior took charge yesterday in the Bearcats’ latest effort to stay in the tournament picture, scoring a game-high 20 points, and Cincinnati never trailed in a 62-57 Big East win over Seton Hall yesterday.
“This is my last go-round,” said Dixon, who also had five assists and two blocked shots for the Bearcats, who are trying to overcome a nonconference schedule considered soft by experts. “I’m trying to give my all at both ends of the floor. It’s a situation where these are must-win games. It’s the same urgency.”
Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin tried to downplay his team’s tournament situation.
“My situation is I’m a single dad with no hair and a team trying to get better every day,” he joked while sidestepping the question.
Cashmere Wright scored 13 points and JaQuon Parker 12 for the Bearcats, who jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first 4:16.
Cincinnati (19-8, 9-5) has won two straight and three out of four going into a home game on Thursday against No. 19 Louisville.
Fuquan Edwin and Jordan Theodore each scored 15 points for the Pirates (18-9, 7-8), who had won three straight after a six-game losing streak.
Xavier 86, Dayton 83, OT — Tu Holloway scored a season-high 32 points — 15 of them on free throws — and Xavier (17-9, 8-4 Atlantic 10 Conference) extended its 31-year dominance of Dayton (16-10, 6-6) on the Musketeers’ court.
Xavier never trailed in overtime, which Mark Lyons opened with two driving baskets. Holloway took it from there, hitting a three-pointer and four consecutive free throws, the last with 11.7 seconds to go.
Dayton is 0-27 since its last victory on Xavier’s court on Jan. 10, 1981.
Charleston 80, Kent State 73 — Nori Johnson scored 27 points to lead Charleston (17-11) past Kent State (19-7).
Carlton Guyton and Chris Evans each scored 16 points for Kent State.
Toledo 59, Sam Houston State 58 — Julius Brown made two free throws with 14 seconds left to seal a victory for Toledo (13-14) over Sam Houston State (11-16).
Oral Roberts 67, Akron 61 — Dominique Morrison had 16 points and 12 rebounds to help Oral Roberts (25-5) run its home winning streak to 23 games with a victory over Akron (19-8).
Ohio University 82, North Carolina-Asheville 62 — Walter Offutt scored 19 points and Stevie Taylor 12 as Ohio (21-6) beat North Carolina-Asheville (18-10).
Bowling Green 73, Morehead State 60 — Scott Thomas scored 28 points, including hitting eight three-pointers, to lead Bowling Green (14-12) past Morehead State (15-14).
Wright State 76, Missouri-Kansas City 62 — Julius Mays scored 25 points for Wright State (13-16) against Missouri-Kansas City (10-19).
Capital 60, Muskingum 55 — Kelly Winter scored 16 points, including six free throws in the final 28 seconds, and Capital (16-9, 13-5) beat Muskingum (8-17, 5-13) to earn a share of its 11th Ohio Athletic Conference regular-season championship.
Capital tied John Carroll for the title.
Spencer Niekamp had 17 points and eight rebounds for the Crusaders, who led 38-17 at halftime but saw the Muskies close to three with 13 seconds left.
Ohio Wesleyan 83, Denison 77 — Tim Brady scored 32 points to lead Ohio Wesleyan (18-6, 10-5 North Coast Athletic Conference) past Denison (12-12, 9-6).
