Surging Cincinnati tops Xavier
Jacob Evans III scored 21 points and led No. 19 Cincinnati's second-half surge to an 86-78 victory over No. 24 Xavier on the Bearcats' home court Thursday night, ending the Musketeers' streak of three straight wins in their annual crosstown rivalry game.
The Bearcats (18-2) got their 11th straight win by overcoming Trevon Bluiett's incredible shooting performance — 12 of 15 for a career-high 40 points.
Cincinnati dominated up front as Xavier (14-6) got little out of its front line. The Bearcats controlled the boards 42-33 and had 30 second-chance points.
Evans scored the first three points in a 15-2 run that put Cincinnati ahead to stay. Gary Clark added 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Bluiett made all of his eight shots in the first half for 26 points and his first 10 overall before missing a rushed 3 to beat the shot clock. He was 9 of 11 from beyond the arc, tying the school record for 3s in a game.
Self acknowledged the investigation of the alleged sexual attack last month of a 16-year-old girl at McCarthy Hall and said it has become a “major distraction” heading into Saturday's showdown.
No charges have been filed, and police have not publicly identified any suspects. Five Kansas players are listed as witnesses on the police report.
ESPN reported Krzyzewski gathered the Blue Devils at his house Tuesday night and told them they were temporarily barred from the locker room and from wearing Duke apparel.
Asked about the ban on WRAL-FM, acting coach Jeff Capel said: “Really can't speak on it. Disappointing when stuff that's supposed to stay in the locker room gets out.”