Senior Jihad Muhammad drains a 3-pointer with five seconds remaining to tie the game 64-64. photo/Andrew Higley

If there is one lesson for Cincinnati fans to take away from the Crosstown Shootout, it is this: Don't leave until the final buzzer. The intense rivalry between UC and Xavier tends to end in dramatic fashion. And the 73rd meeting, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006 didn't disappoint.

Enter UC's Jihad Muhammad. Down three points with eight seconds to play, Muhammad dribbled the length of the Cintas Center, pulled up from 25 feet and drained a 3-pointer over an outstretched defender to send the game into overtime. The Musketeers eventually pulled out the win, 73-71, but not before the Bearcats' final effort.

UC again trailed by five with just over a minute to go in overtime when freshman Devan Downey swished his fourth 3-pointer. Cedric McGowan followed with a steal and a slam-dunk to tie the game 71-71. In the end, XU converted on two of four foul shots to take a 2-point lead. The final 3.9 seconds saw senior James White attempt a running shot that bounced off the backboard as time expired.

"What a great night of basketball in the city of Cincinnati," interim UC head coach Andy Kennedy said after the game. "Both teams played hard, and that's what this game is all about. I think we projected well across the nation with two quality teams." ESPN analyst Jay Bilas agreed on air, saying "You are not going to find a rivalry anywhere in America more intense than this one."

The Bearcats bench reacts after Muhammad's clutch shot gives them new life against Xavier. photo/Andrew Higley

XU coach Sean Miller called it a war. "I give Cincinnati a lot of credit," he said. "You don't realize how good a team is until you play them. We beat a good basketball team tonight."

Xavier was led by senior Brian Thornton and sophomore Stanley Burrell, who each scored 20 points. Thornton also recorded 12 rebounds. UC was paced by Downey who finished with 22 points, five assists and one turnover in 44 minutes of play.

"Every time it was time to make a big play or a rebound, Xavier did," Downey said. "That's why they deserve to win the ballgame."

Junior Cedric McGowan finishes his steal with a dunk in overtime to tie the game at 71. photo/Andrew Higley

Asked about the team's resiliency after their third-straight loss, Downey said, "We are still a good basketball team. We have got to just stay together. I don't really think our confidence is down. We have just got to play harder."

The Bearcats, seriously undermanned with the recent loss of senior Armein Kirkland, rested Downey and White a combined total of three minutes. Senior Eric Hicks, who was double-teamed all night, finished with seven blocks and 12 points. When Hicks did get a breather, it was when Kennedy turned to Ronald Allen, who committed four fouls over six minutes, or freshman Connor Barwin, on loan from the football team, who put in seven minutes. Barwin gave UC's big men several opportune rests and even pulled down two offense rebounds in one series.

Next, UC gets back to the meat of its Big East schedule, beginning with Rutgers at home Sunday, Jan. 22.

LINKS:

Crosstown Shootout photo gallery

UC Athletics game coverage

Rivalry aside for Crosstown Helpout