Bearcats Pound Chanticleers

by B. Clifton Burke
Nov. 25, 2008

The University of Cincinnati (4-0) is off to its best start since Bob Huggins led his team to that record in 2004. With the winning combination of size and hot shooting, the Bearcats coasted to their fourth win of the season, defeating Coastal Carolina, 82-56, Monday night at Fifth Third Arena.

“If we can shoot 48 percent from the three point line with the big guys we have, we’re pretty hard to guard” said head coach Mick Cronin.

Despite having only one player taller than 6-foot-6, Coastal Carolina started the game energized and aggressive, running out to an early 17-15 lead in the game’s first seven minutes. UC countered with a 14-2 run in only four and a half minutes, brought on by the defensive spark off the bench by sophomore center Anthony McClain. McClain collected four rebounds and three blocks in the first half, and finished the game with a season-high 11 points.

“I came off the bench and did my part,” said McClain.

The Bearcats continued their impressive outside shooting, sinking 7-of-13 3-pointers in the first half, and 11-of-23 in the game. UC is converting 38 percent of its 3-point attempts on the year. Junior guard Deonta Vaughn, who made nine 3-pointers against Coastal Carolina in 2007, came away with four more threes and a team-high 17 points.

The Chanticleers had averaged 21 turnovers a game, but going into halftime, they had given away only five. UC turned up its defensive intensity and forced Coastal Carolina to shoot 0-for-12 from the field in the first eight minutes after halftime. The Bearcats scored 14 points off of 10 Chanticleer turnovers in the second half.

“I didn’t think we were as sharp in the second half,” said Coastal Carolina head coach Cliff Ellis. “We were a half step off in the second half as opposed to that freshness we had coming out,”

UC sophomore guard Larry Davis played a solid game with 14 points including four 3-pointers, but coach Mick Cronin seemed more impressed with the lanky guard’s defense.

“His on the ball defense is excellent, his off the ball defense is improving, his attitude is tremendous and he made shots tonight,” said Cronin.

The game was part of the Global Sports Classic, which will continue in Las Vegas where UC will next meet Florida State on Nov. 28.