Cincinnati Gets Big East Monkey Off Back

FanHouse Big East senior writer Brett McMurphy is in New York breaking down every game of the Big East tournament.

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TOP 'CAT: STEPHENSON SPARKS CINCINNATI

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NEW YORK -- Three times Cincinnati had advanced to the Big East tournament. Three times the Bearcats had left town with an opening-round loss.

The worst defeat came last year when the Bearcats were upset by No. 16 seed DePaul, becoming the first team to lose to a No. 16 seed in an NCAA or conference tournament.

Tuesday night against Rutgers, the Bearcats finally broke through for their first Big East victory, holding off the Scarlet Knights 69-68.

Brooklyn native Lance Stephenson, just hours after he was named the Big East freshman of the year, sparked the Bearcats by scoring 11 of his 13 points in the second half, including the game-winning free throw with 1.8 seconds remaining. He also had nine rebounds and a team-high five assists.

It was a happy homecoming for Stephenson, the all-time leading scorer in New York high school basketball history, but not without some anxious moments.

Cincinnati (17-14) led by six points with 44 seconds remaining, but Rutgers (15-17) pulled even on Mike Rosario's 3-pointer with 15.2 seconds remaining.

Stephenson then was fouled driving to the basket. Stephenson swished the first free throw and intentionally missed the second.

"I learned from the beginning of the season not to settle for the jump shot," Stephenson said. "I knew I was going to make the first free throw so I could miss the second one."

Rutgers' desperation shot was off target, giving Cincinnati its elusive first Big East tournament win.

"We got a one-point blowout," Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said. "We needed to get this win."

Rosario led all scorers with 26 points, while Jonathan Mitchell had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Scarlet Knights. Jaquon Parker (13 points, nine rebounds) and Yancy Gates (10 points) joined Stephenson in double figures.

STAR POWER

Lance Stephenson, Brooklyn's best, made his return to the Garden one to remember. After a forgettable first half (1-for-7 from the field), Stephenson keyed the Bearcats' victory with 11 second-half points. Midway in the half, Stephenson had consecutive 3-point plays giving the Bearcats a 57-52 lead. After his first 3-point play, Stephenson made a steal at half-court and then drove in for a layup, changed the ball to his left hand and hit the layup while being fouled. He stuck his tongue out after getting knocked to the floor and then got up to and hit the free throw to complete the 3-point play. "He was able to get the ball at the basket in the second half," Cronin said. "He's as good as anyone at finishing."

BIG DANCE PLANS

Cincinnati was on the NCAA tournament bubble a few weeks ago, but the Bearcats' bubble popped by losing seven of their final nine games entering the Big East tournament. Cincinnati's locked up an NIT bid, but the Bearcats likely won't get to the NCAA tournament without winning the next four nights.

ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

The good news for Rutgers is it won't have a long drive to get back home. After putting together a three-game winning streak, the Scarlet Knights faded down the stretch losing five of their final six games. Coach Fred Hill already was on the proverbial hot seat entering this season. With a new athletics director at Rutgers, did a 15-17 season seal his fate? Most likely it did.

STAT OF THE GAME

13-59: Rutgers' Big East record in the past four seasons under Hill.

SOUNDBITE

"Our guys have no interest in the noon game. We'll play at midnight if we keep winning." -- Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin about his feelings of playing the late game in the Big East tournament.

NEXT UP

Cincinnati plays No. 6 Louisville (20-11) on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) in the second round. Louisville won the first meeting at home against Cincinnati, 68-60, on Jan. 24.

Contact FanHouse senior writer Brett McMurphy at brettmcmurphy@gmail.com.