By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

UC's James White talks it up after hitting a 3-pointer in the first half against Miami at U.S. Bank Arena on Saturday. (Jeff Swinger photo)

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats discovered Saturday night that they can still produce a lopsided victory even when their press fails to deliver its usual allotment of turnovers.

The 14th-ranked Bearcats had forced an average of 26 turnovers over their last three games, but squeezed only 16 out of Miami.

Still, the offensively challenged RedHawks (4-5) were no match for UC, which won 83-63 before 14,873 fans at U.S. Bank Arena.

"It's not about getting turnovers all the time," said UC forward James White, "because you're not going to get turnovers every game. I think (the press) wears you down more than anything."

UC (8-0) matched the start by the 1999-00 team that finished 29-4.

The Bearcats were led by White and Field Williams, each with 14 points. It was White's first double-figure scoring night as a UC player.

Western Hills High alum Danny Horace and Chet Mason each scored 10 for Miami.

Sophomore Eric Hicks, who entered the game averaging 8.6 points and 7.3 rebounds over his last three games, started at center for UC in place of Kareem Johnson, who was benched because he missed the team bus to the arena.

"That's totally inexcusable," said UC coach Bob Huggins.

Johnson responded with nine points and six rebounds in 15 minutes.

"I definitely had to come out and play harder," Johnson said, "because I let my teammates down. It was unacceptable for a senior."

The RedHawks patiently passed over UC traps and avoided getting pinned on the sidelines.

But they were unable to translate their patience into baskets, shooting just 34.5 percent, continuing a problem that has plagued them this season.

"I don't think the press was what really affected us until it became obvious that we weren't in the game," said Miami coach Charlie Coles.

UC, with its fast-break opportunities limited, had to find most of its offense in the half-court. The Bearcats made nine of 16 3-point tries.

This wasn't one of the Bearcats' better efforts. Upset by their stagnant offense, Huggins called time out with 16:58 left in the game and berated his players for not passing and moving without the ball.

"We don't score because we're good on offense," Huggins said. "And we didn't score (tonight) off our defense. We score because we've got some good players, which one of these days won't be enough."

Miami trailed 15-9, with 12:13 left in the first half, when the Bearcats scored eight straight points to take a 23-9 lead and blow the game open with 8:05 to go. They increased the lead to 20 with 4:01 left.

Defensively, the RedHawks seemed intent on preventing UC forward Jason Maxiell from hurting them in the low post. Every time Maxiell touched the ball on the low block, they double-teamed him. He was held to 10 points, six below his average.

Miami	M	FG	Att	FT	Att	R	A	F	TO	TP
Schenke	21	1	2	0	0	5	0	2	1	3
Horace	23	3	9	4	5	4	0	3	1	10
Hausfeld	22	3	7	0	0	1	1	2	2	8
Mason	34	4	11	2	3	9	8	3	5	10
Johnson	23	1	11	2	4	1	1	4	1	4
Penno	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	2
Seals	14	1	3	2	2	3	1	1	0	4
Vandersluis	8	0	1	2	2	2	0	3	0	2
Hatcher	24	2	5	2	2	1	1	2	3	7
St. Clair	11	1	3	3	4	1	0	1	1	5
Peavy	16	3	5	2	3	9	1	5	1	8
Van Buskirk	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
Totals	200	20	58	19	25	39	13	29	16	63

Team rebounds - 3.

Cincinnati	M	FG	Att	FT	Att	R	A	F	TO	TP
Hicks	17	0	1	0	1	7	0	2	1	0
Kirkland	23	1	4	5	8	3	0	0	0	8
Maxiell	27	4	7	2	5	5	1	2	0	10
F. Williams	21	5	7	1	1	0	1	1	1	14
N. Williams	8	1	2	2	2	1	1	4	1	5
Moore	17	0	0	2	2	2	3	2	3	2
Lucas	15	1	2	0	0	2	1	0	0	2
Bobbitt	20	3	7	4	4	5	1	2	1	11
White	17	4	7	3	4	0	4	1	0	14
Johnson	15	4	5	1	4	6	0	4	2	9
Whaley	20	2	10	4	4	3	2	4	2	8
Totals	200	25	52	24	35	35	14	22	11	83

Team rebounds - 1.

Miami	26	37	- 63
Cincinnati	43	40	- 83

3-pointers - Miami 4-17 (Schenke 1-2, Hausfeld 2-5, Mason 0-1, Johnson 0-5, Hatcher 1-3, Peavy 0-1), Cincinnati 9-16 (Kirkland 1-1, F. Williams 3-5, N. Williams 1-2, Lucas 0-1, Bobbitt 1-3, White 3-4). Technicals - None. Officials - Rose, Kennedy, Mayborg. Attendance - 14,873.