NO. 25 CINCINNATI FALLS AT UAB, 64-47

Following the emotional and intense crosstown shootout loss Sunday night at rival Xaiver, seeing a letdown of sorts from Cincinnati Wednesday night when they faces UAB was expected. However, this effort was more than a letdown as the Bearcats Suffer a Setback at UAB (Cincinnati Enquirer) in a 64-47 loss.

The Bearcats can almost certainly kiss good-bye their top 25 ranking and head coach Mick Cronin does not want to hear any excuses because of their previous game.

“One team was humble and hungry to win,” said UC coach Mick Cronin following the game in the Enquirer. “The other team was overconfident and uninterested.”

UAB Had Something to Prove Against No. 25 UC (Birmingham News) as the Blazers raced out to a 34-19 halftime lead and outrebounded the Bearcats 29-14 in the opening 20 minutes.

“We played like we had no energy,” Cronin told the Enquirer. “Whether that comes from Sunday night, we’d better grow up because we play in a conference where you’ve got to play tough games every game.”

Cincinnati, now 6-3, closes out their pre-conference schedule with Lipscomb and Winthrop at home before hosting Connecticut on December 30th to open Big East play.

Before conference play begins, UC will need to find a way to get senior Deonta Vaughn playing better. After struggling in the loss at Xavier Sunday night, Vaughn was just 2-9 from the field against UAB and committed five turnovers. After averaging over 15 points a game in his first three years as a Bearcat, Vaughn is averaging just 10 points a game this year and seeing his shooting percentages drop to career lows as well. If UC is going to challenge in the Big East like many believe they can, Deonta Vaughn will need to be producing at, or near, his previous levels.

Dion Dixon led UC with 13 points in the loss at UAB as the entire Bearcat club struggled offensively. Cincinnati shot just 32% (19-61) from the field in the game and 3-22 from three-point range. Add in 17 turnovers and it was a recipe for disaster for the Bearcats.