Despite a late-season slump that took the University of Cincinnati out of realistic contention for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, the Bearcats mustered enough will to pull out UC's first ever win in the Big East Conference Tournament Tuesday night against Rutgers. That win, however, was not secured until the last 1.8 seconds of the game.
Ironically, the 'Cats final lead was taken with a free throw, a shot that has been anything but "free" for them this season. After Rutgers staged an impressive comeback after trailing by 8 late in the game, the Scarlet Knights (15-17, 5-13 Big East) hit a three-pointer with 16 seconds left to tie the game. The Bearcats immediately inbounded the ball to Lance Stephenson who never gave it up. The freshman dribbled the length of the court, ran the clock down, drove the basket...and was fouled with 1.8 seconds remaining.
Bearcats Nation held its collective breath as Lance drained the first free throw and missed (intentionally this time) the second to secure the win, 69-68.
The Bearcats (17-14, 7-11 Big East) hadn't won a conference tournament game at Madison Square Garden in their three appearances since joining the Big East in 2005. They entered this year's tournament as an 11 seed after losing 5 out of their last 6 games to end the season.
Cincinnati used a career-high 13 points from freshman Jaquon Parker as well as solid contributions from All Big East Freshman Team member Lance Stephenson (13 pts., 9 reb., 5 ast.), Sophomore Yancy Gates (10 pts., 5 reb.) and transfer junior Ibrahima Thomas (13 reb.).
Cincinnati next faces No. 6 seed Louisville in the second round of the Big East Conference Tournament Wednesday night at 9:00 P.M. The winner of that game will face No. 3 seed West Virginia on Thursday.
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