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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Different method, different star, same result.
Xavier got 'em again.
| | Donald Little dunks between four Musketeers -- Kevin Frey, left, Romain Sato (10), David West (30) and Lloyd Price (34). | David West scored 23 points as Xavier ditched its uptempo game
and pounded the ball inside Thursday night to beat
Cincinnati (No. 18 ESPN/USA Today, No. 17 Associated Press) 69-67 in their annual crosstown matchup.
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 for the fourth time in five years.
"We get pepped up for this game," said West, who scored 15 of
his points from the free-throw line. "Coach (Skip Prosser) was
saying all week that the first team that blinks is going to lose."
Cincinnati (4-2) usually does the blinking, even when it's a
huge favorite to win. Twice in the last five years, Xavier has
pulled out last-second wins when the Bearcats were unbeaten and
ranked No. 1.
The record and the ranking weren't as lofty this time, but the
finish was just as pulsating -- and just as tough on the emotions.
"This game hurts a lot because the two schools are so close,"
said Satterfield, his eyes brimming with tears. "We're friends and
we're going to see each other and they're going to rub it in even
more."
Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins had his tie loosened, the top
button on his white shirt undone and a haggard look on his face as
he bemoaned how his front line got overwhelmed by one player. West
had a game-high 13 rebounds and went 15-for-19 from the foul line.
Asked about Xavier's annual torment of his team, Huggins got
defensive.
"We win 28 or 29 games," he said, referring to Cincinnati's
usual total for a season. "Are they better than us? No. They've
won some close games."
In this one game, Xavier usually finds a way to come out a few
points better. West led the way this time.
He made six free throws and had a putback during a 13-point run
that gave Xavier its biggest lead, 64-57, with 4:08 left.
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 at midcourt for a layup that made
it 68-67 with 32 seconds left.
Satterfield missed a short jumper with 15 seconds left and West
got the rebound -- one of his game-high 13 -- to keep Xavier in
control. Maurice McAfee was fouled and made one of his two shots
for a 69-67 lead with 12 seconds left.
The Bearcats set up another play for Satterfield, who got off
another short, off-target jumper as West put an arm in his face and
the clock ran out.
"Just short," Satterfield said in a hushed voice. "I thought
it felt good when it left my hand, but it hit the front of the rim
and didn't have a chance."
Xavier huddled on the floor right in front of Cincinnati's bench
-- the same place they celebrated Lenny Brown's last-second jumper
four years ago for a 71-69 win over Danny Fortson's team.
Both teams went out of character in a back-and-forth game that
came down to Cincinnati's guards trying to outdo West.
Xavier, which likes to push the pace, couldn't keep up with
Satterfield, who hit Cincinnati's first three shots -- all 3s -- and
led the Bearcats to a 32-17 lead.
The Musketeers then turned it into a half-court game --
Cincinnati's specialty -- and beat the Bearcats at their own game.
West dominated inside, drawing fouls and hitting from the line.
Cincinnati couldn't push West around or stop him from getting
the ball inside. Center Donald Little got a technical for throwing
an elbow at West in the first half and fouled out in the second
half.
Backup B.J. Grove also got four fouls trying to stop West, who
helped Xavier win it at the foul line. Xavier was 27-for-40 on free
throws.
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ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard
Xavier Clubhouse
Cincinnati Clubhouse
HoopsTV: Game of the night
AUDIO/VIDEO
Leonard Stokes finds Jamaal Davis under the hoop for the easy dunk.
avi: 561 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Xavier's David West is wide open under the basket for the slam.
avi: 546 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Leonard Stokes gets the steal off the press then throws it down.
avi: 761 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Cincinnati's Leonard Stokes throws down the two-handed slam.
avi: 836 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Lloyd Price fires the bounce pass to David West for the transition basket.
avi: 622 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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