For the first time in their school's history, the Cincinnati Bearcats have defeated a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament. Additionally, their win over the Florida St. Seminoles on Sunday night broke a streak of four consecutive second round losses in the NCAA Tournament. The game was close throughout, but FSU threw it away in spectacular fashion late, and the Bearcats made their free throws down the stretch to hang on to a 62-56 win.
2012 NCAA Bracket, Cincinnati Vs. Florida State Final Score: Bearcats Hang On For 62-56 Win
The momentum changed and Cincinnati seized control of the game with 1:30 remaining, when Dion Dixon made this fantastic steal and dunk.
The anticipation by Dixon was fantastic, but the casual nature of the pass by Luke Loucks was hard to believe, and it was a terrible way to give control of the game to Cincinnati.
Michael Snaer missed a three-point shot on FSU's next possession, and that was followed up by a big basket by Cashmere Wright to make it 54-50. At that point, Florida State began to play the foul game. It was a seemingly smart strategy to start fouling early against a Cincinnati team that struggles from the free throw line, but everyone came up big for the Bearcats. They went 8-8 from the free throw line in the game's final minute.
With Cincinnati up 60-56 with 15 seconds remaining, Dixon almost gifted FSU a way back into the game. He walked the line after a Seminoles basket, which is illegal, and the ball was given back to Florida state. They were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. In the final three minutes, Florida State didn’t make a shot that wasn’t a dunk or layup.
Cincinnati moves on to face Ohio State in the Sweet Sixteen. Syracuse and Wisconsin play in the East Region’s other regional semifinal.
For up-to-the-minute scores on all NCAA Tournament games, please check out SI.com’s complete scoreboard.
For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stick around SB Nation’s NCAA Tournament hub. There you’ll find a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket and tons of analysis on who was snubbed, who got the best bracket and who will make it all the way to New Orleans and the Final Four.
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