The Iowa St. Cyclones did not go away on Friday night, even when they got down 16 points early in the second half. But after whittling the Cincinnati Bearcats' lead to three points with 3:26 left in the game, they could not make the plays required to take the lead or win the game. The result was a 78-70 victory for the Bearcats, who will face the winner of the Oregon Ducks and UNLV Runnin' Rebels in the championship game of the Global Sports Classic in Las Vegas.
No. 22 Cincinnati vs. Iowa State final score: Bearcats edge Cyclones, 78-70
The unranked Cyclones hung around, but couldn’t quite get over the hump against the Bearcats.
Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE
Powering the Bearcats on Friday night was guard Sean Kilpatrick, who poured in 32 points on 7-of-14 shooting to lead all players in scoring. Kilpatrick added three assists, five rebounds and five steals and was 16-of-16 by himself from the free throw line, outnumbering Iowa State's free throw makes as a team by four. Cashmere Wright and Titus Rubles were also both in double-digits, with 14 and 10 points respectively.
The Cyclones were led by guard Tyrus McGee, who scored 22 points. The Cyclones had trouble shooting on the night, tho -- guards Will Clyburn and Michigan State transfer Korie Lucious combined to shoot 6-of-28 from the floor by themselves. Cincinnati didn't exactly scorch the nets themselves, shooting just 41 percent from the field, but they did shoot a crucial 23-of-25 from the line as a team.
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