Tuesday, December 02, 2003

Valparaiso, Ind. - Jason Maxiell scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help 19th-ranked Cincinnati defeat Valpo 68-49. Kikas Gomes led the Crusaders with 10 points.

Maxiell, a 6'8" junior, made 12 of 20 free throw attempts. Tony Bobbitt added 15 points, while Field Williams and Nick Williams added 14 and 10 points, respectively for Cincinnati. Ron Howard and Ali Berdiel scored nine points each for Valpo (1-3).

The Bearcats (4-0) used a 20-5 run in the first half to take control after Valpo led 5-2 in the first three minutes. Bobbitt scored all 15 of his points in the first half, which included five, 3-pointers.

Cincinnati held a decided advantage on the boards, outrebounding the Crusaders 42-26, including 17-9 on the offensive glass. Kareem Johnson grabbed 10 caroms for the Bearcats.

Both teams struggled from the floor as Cincinnati shot 39 percent (20-51) to Valpo's 36 percent (17-47). The Bearcats drained 8 of 23 (35 percent) from 3-point range and made 20 of 31 free throws (65 percent). The Crusaders made 3 of 17 treys (18 percent) and 12 of 18 charity tosses (67 percent).

Valpo hosts Indiana State on Monday, Dec. 8 at 7:05 p.m.