Delk Cold-Shoulders ‘Cuse

Top 25

Tony Delk hit a late 3-pointer, sparking No. 6 Kentucky to a 77-71 victory Sunday over No. 10 Syracuse in a game at Lexington, Ky., that looked more like hot-potato than basketball.

The teams committed a combined 58 turnovers, 25 by Syracuse (16-3) and 33 by Kentucky (15-3), both season highs.

The sloppy victory was the first for Kentucky coach Rick Pitino in seven games against Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim and marked the Wildcats’ first triumph this season over a top 10 team. Pitino served as an assistant on Boeheim’s staff from 1976-78.

Jeff Sheppard gave Kentucky the lead for good at 64-62 when he hit two free throws with 5:14 to go. Syracuse then turned it over once and missed four shots on its next five possessions.

Delk, who is recovering from a sprained left shoulder, then hit a 3 from the left wing as Kentucky held a 67-62 advantage with 3:20 to go. Syracuse got no closer than the final score.

Delk finished with 16 points. Syracuse was led by Lawrence Moten’s 23 points.

Marquette 59, (23) Cincinnati 52

At Cincinnati, Marquette avenged its worst loss of the season and gave the Bearcats their longest losing streak in five years by building a big early lead and holding on for a victory.

The Golden Eagles (3-3 Great Midwest Conference, 11-7) led the entire game by taking advantage of Cincinnati’s poor shooting and sloppy play. The Bearcats (5-3, 15-8) have lost three straight for the first time since 1990.

Four Marquette players scored in double figures, led by Ron Eford with 15.

Cincinnati had its worst half in two years and fell behind 26-17 at the intermission. Marquette led by 10 points with 6:40 to go.

Nebraska 71, (24) Oklahoma 59

At Lincoln, Neb., led by the play of alternating centers Mikki Moore and Chris Sallee, Nebraska’s defense held the Sooners to a season-low point total.

Oklahoma (3-4 Big Eight, 16-5) shot only 36 percent. Moore had 12 points and Sallee 11 for Nebraska (2-4, 15-6), which forced 25 turnovers.