Xavier vs. Cincinnati Live Blog

UPDATE, 7:37: Well here we are at "lovely" Fifth Third Arena ... I never understood the layout of this building. There is tons of wasted space in the corners they had to build so steep and high on the sides that they give out O2 to people sitting up there upon entry. I just don't get it. Meanwhile the Musketeers just took the floor and were welcomes to a chorus of boos.

UPDATE, 8:01: The D'Artagnan mascot fell down as he led the team out onto the floor ... Inauspicious or meaningless? I guess we will find out.

UPDATE, 8:16: Good start for the Musketeers ... UC is the most prolific offensive rebounding club in the country and XU leads 4-to-1 in that category. Holloway got off to a quick start in his first Crosstown Shootout. The freshman buried a 3-pointer and then recorded a steal on the next possession.

UPDATE, 8:25: Well, UC scores on its first possession and then has gone 6:30 without a bucket. The Bearcats have missed their last six attempts from the field while turning the ball over six times. Make that seven times.

UPDATE, 8:29: The UC faithful are none too pleased with this officiating crew early. I have heard one "*** A-10 officials" complaint. For the record, Karl Hess, Tim Higgins and John Cahill (pronounced Cal for some reason) work a lot of BIG EAST games and have each worked a Final Four.

UPDATE, 8:44: UC has made its living on second chance points this year and XU leads 12-2 in that stat after the latest tip in by Derrick Brown ... XU up 32-19, its largest lead of the game.

UPDATE, 9:32: XU led by 14 at the break and they are currently in the midst of taking Deonta Vaughn's best shot. After burying a 3-pointer at the end of the first half, Vaughn has scored 10 of UC's 13 second-half points. XU leads by 11 with 15:19 to go.

UPDATE, 9:41: Perhaps UC's cold shooting was due to Mick Cronin's tie. Cronin took the tie off during halftime and UC heated up from the field. Coinscidence?

UPDATE, 9:47: Who says the Crosstown Shootout has lost its luster? That makes five technical fouls tonight. In other news, Deonta Vaughn actually missed a shot but still leads all scorers with 22. 15 of which have come in the last 9:30.

UPDATE, 9:54: The lead is down to five points with just over nine minutes to go Mr. Momentum has clearly gone over to sit down on UC's bench. Let's see if XU can string together a couple stops to stop this run. The Bearcats are scorching the nets at a 52.9 percent clip this half including 54.0% from deep. Can that last?

UPDATE, 9:59: Big stop and board there by XU. Brown goes to the line with the Musketeers up three. A coupule of free throws would really take some of the air out of this place. It is rowdy in here.

UPDATE, 10:11: Is it really 10:11 p.m.? There is still 3:49 to go here. Oh well, big offensive board by Kenny Frease there. He was in just to give Jason Love a little break before the under four timeout but he made a big play and will be shooting a pair of free throws with XU up five when we get back.

UPDATE, 10:22: Derrick Brown made play after play and free throw after free throw as XU seems ready to hold off the Bearcats. Just a little blemish as he was hit with his second technical foul of the night at the 1:20 mark.