Bearcats kick off Big East play with victory over Cardinals
The tandem of Deonta Vaughn and John Williams, plus some stingy last second defense, helped Cincinnati prevail over Louisville 58-57 on New Year’s Day to jump-start conference play in the Big East.
Vaughn and Williams scored 13 points apiece and Marvin Gentry added 10 points for the Bearcats, who shot 47 percent from the field against the Cardinals. The Bearcats gave the Cardinals problems from beyond the arc as well, shooting 57 percent on 8-of-14 attempts.
For Louisville, Jerry Smith led the way with 17 points and David Padgett returned to action for the Cardinals, scoring 13 and grabbing four boards. Padgett had been sidelined since Nov.18th with a fractured kneecap.
Louisville had a chance to win the game in the final seconds, however, Edgar Sosa had his shot partially blocked and Terrence Williams’ tip-in attempt rimed out as the buzzer sounded. Louisville drops their first conference game (9-4, 0-1) and had their four-game win streak snapped.
It was a nip-and-tuck contest throughout the entire second half, with the largest lead for either team being six points. Padgett gave Louisville the lead 57-56 with just under two minutes to play, but Vaughn put Cincinnati right back in front 58-57 after sinking two free throws. Terrence Williams missed a jump shot with about 40 seconds left and the Bearcats looked to ice this one, but Vaughn had the ball stolen away on an attempt to get to the rim and the Cardinals had one last gasp to pull out the victory. The jumper by Sosa fell short, as did the put-back attempt by Williams and the Bearcats spoiled the start of 2008 for Louisville.
Tough start for Louisville on the first day of 2008. They get a home game against a big-time rival, not to mention an emotional lift with the return of Padgett, who a few months back looked as if he were done for the year. It seems as if this could be a tell-tale sign of things to come for Louisville in the conference if they don’t start playing with a lot more consistency. Earl Clark and Terrence Williams have largely been the focal points so far this season. The sophomore slump Edgar Sosa is in has to be a great concern for Rick Pitino. The health of Padgett and Juan Palacios will make or break how successful, or unsuccessful the Cardinals will be, as well the maturation process of Derrick Caracter.
Up next for the Cardinals, Rick Pitino and company will venture into his old stomping ground, with a Saturday afternoon match-up at Kentucky looming at 4 p.m. Cincinnati will aim for their third consecutive win on Saturday when they’ll face off against St. John’s at 6 p.m.
Tags: Big East Basketball, Cincinnati Bearcats, louisville cardinals, NCAA Men's basketball