Notre Dame-Cincinnati: Struggling Bearcats Find a Way To Knock Out Irish

Cincinnati's brutal three-game Big East losing streak is over thanks to 6'9" monster Yancy Gates.  The sophomore from Cincinnati banked the game-winning bucket in the final seconds as UC wrestled away a much-needed 60-58 win from Notre Dame.

Gates recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 boards, but his most important contribution was his intimidating defense against the nation's third leading scorer, Luke Harangody.  Harangody, with his suave GQ hair-do and his WNBA two-handed flip-shot jumper, was held to just 14 points (10 below his season average) on an atrocious-looking 5-20 from the field. 

The game didn't start out too hot for Cincinnati (12-6, 3-3 Big East) as the Fighting Irish jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead.  But after coming off of an embarrassing loss at St. John's Wednesday night, the Bearcats were not about to go quietly.  Freshman point guard Jaquon Parker sparked a 12-2 UC run with a creamed three and a bank-swish 15-footer from the left wing, and the battle was underway.

Towards the end of the first half, with Notre Dame (14-4, 3-2 Big East) leading 28-25, Harangody pulled Cincy junior Darnell Wilks down from behind on a missed shot.  The foul, of course, was called on Wilks.  Harangody even got away with a pseudo-nutcheck kick as the two players landed.  A minute later, a little yay runner in the lane by Harangody gave ND a 32-25 lead as the half ended. 

Trust me, remotes and various other living room items were thrown by many annoyed, pissed off Bearcat fans at this point.

Early in the second half, however, the Bearcats used a 9-0 run to take a 37-35 lead.  Deonta Vaughn hit a three and a two, and Rashad Bishop scored twice during the spurt.

The rest of the game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams hitting big shots.  After Notre Dame guard Ben Hansbrough knocked in a 10-foot jumper with :25 left, the game was knotted at 58.  It was time for oft-doubted UC head coach Mick Cronin to diagram a winning play.

Vaughn dribbled out some of the clock, then made his move into the lane.  The Irish defenders collapsed, so DV flipped a pass over the top to gigantic Yancy Gates, who left a close shot short.  Gates stuck with it, though.  He laid in his missed shot off the glass to give the Bearcats the desperately needed win.

Victory shots of Jack Daniels and Jagermeister were downed all over Bearcat Nation.  And, for UC football fans, a little smidgen of revenge was achieved for Notre Dame luring head coach Brian Kelly away from the Bearcats.

Cincinnati was able to win, despite shooting a North Dakota winter cold 32% from the field, thanks to dominating defense and a plus-20 advantage on the glass. 

(Wouldn't it be fun to watch a Bearcat game in which UC could make some f*****' shots already?  Man, watching Cincinnati's offense is like watching a Roseanne Barr strip tease.)

UC now sits in ninth place in the Big East standings with 12 to play.  Next up: USF, Jan. 20, 4:00 PST ESPN2

UC 60, ND 58 box score