For those Bearcats fans holding on to some glimmer of hope that UC could make the NCAA Tournament this year, Sunday's overtime loss to Marquette certainly extinguished those fantasies. The Bearcats lost to Marquette 79-76 in overtime to lose its second devastating game in a row.
Cincinnati (15-11, 6-8 Big East) fell to a Golden Eagles team with whom they were competing for a coveted at-large bid to the NCAA tourney. Both teams were considered bubble teams on equal footing heading into this weekend, making their contest Sunday at the Shoemaker Center a game that would likely end one team's hopes for the postseason.
All eyes of the tournament selection committee were likely trained on Cincinnati Sunday to see which of the two teams proved themselves worthy of a bid. Given the loss at home - coupled with two overall losses in a row to bubble teams - the Bearcats were not that team.
UC trailed big in the first half, but used an inspired 21-2 run to close out the half to take a 6 point halftime lead. The 'Cats defense kept them in the game while they made shots that usually wouldn't make to lead the Golden Eagles for the first part of the second half as well.
However, half way through the second half, the 'Cats defense let up and Marquette - the No. 4 three-point shooting team in the nation - started hitting shots. Marquette ended the game shooting 40% from beyond the arc with 11 threes made.
The Bearcats shot the ball well, shooting 48% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. However, the Bearcats once again shot horribly from the free throw line (8-16, 50%).
UC was led by Rashad Bishop's 17 points. The next three highest scorers came off the bench for the Bearcats, a by-product of yet another bizarre starting lineup by Mick Cronin. Yancy Gates and Deonta Vaughn did not start due to a "coaching decision."
Cincinnati's next game - much less important given Sunday's loss - is Wednesday at home against DePaul.
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