Technically, Cincinnati Had A Big Night

Top 25

Danny Fortson was hit with one of Cincinnati’s two technical fouls, then steadied himself and scored a career-high 40 points Wednesday night to keep the Bearcats unbeaten with a 99-90 victory over rival Xavier in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati (12-0) matched its best start in the last 36 years by overcoming a taunting crowd and two first-half spats on Xavier’s home court.

The Bearcats also were 12-0 in 1976-77. Cincinnati has had just two better starts in its 95 seasons - 13-0 in 1959-60 and 19-0 in 1962-63.

Xavier (6-7), which starts three freshmen in a rebuilding season, is off to its worst start in 14 years.

The foul-marred game added to the rivalry’s recent lore. The last game at the Cincinnati Gardens two years ago degenerated into a shouting match between the benches, and Cincinnati’s Bob Huggins refused to shake former Xavier coach Pete Gillen’s hand afterwards.

(5) Connecticut 88, St. John’s 73

At Hartford, Conn., Kirk King made his 22nd straight shot - three short of the NCAA record before a miss and the Huskies (15-1, 7-0 Big East) ran away early to defeat the Red Storm (7-6, 1-4).

King made his first three shots, all dunks, before he missed an 8-foot pull-up jumper with 6 minutes left in the first half. The record of 25 baskets in a row was set by Ray Voelkel of American University in 1978.

(6) Wake Forest 66, Georgia Tech 63

At Winston-Salem, N.C., Tony Rutland snapped Wake Forest’s perimeter game out of the doldrums, rallying the Demon Deacons (12-1, 4-0 ACC) past the Yellow Jackets (10-8, 3-1).

Rutland scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half as Wake Forest won the showdown between the last two teams with unbeaten marks in the conference.

Seton Hall 78, (7) Villanova 73

At East Rutherford, N.J., Adrian Griffin scored a career-high 31 points and the Pirates (8-6, 4-3 Big East) posted their biggest win in four years by upsetting the Wildcats (13-3, 5-2).

The victory was the best for Seton Hall’s since it defeated No. 6 Ohio State on Jan. 26, 1992.

(10) North Carolina 67, Virginia 53

At Charlottesville, Va., freshman sensation Antawn Jamison had 20 rebounds and 16 points as the Tar Heels (13-3, 4-1 ACC) dominated the Cavaliers (7-6, 2-3) on the backboards and the scoreboard.

Florida State 75, (19) Clemson 62

At Tallahassee, Fla., James Collins hit four 3-pointers in the second half and scored 23 points as the Seminoles (10-4, 2-2 ACC) handed the Tigers (11-2, 2-2) their second straight defeat.

(21) Mississippi St. 53, Ole Miss 47

At Starkville, Miss., Darryl Wilson scored five of his 17 points in the final 1:14 as the Bulldogs (11-3, 3-2 SEC) held off the Rebels (5-8, 0-4).

(22) Georgia 71, Florida 46

At Athens, Ga., Katu Davis and Pertha Robinson scored five points each in a 21-0 spurt as the Bulldogs (11-3, 2-2 SEC) snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating the Gators (6-8, 1-3).

(25) Texas Tech 75, Baylor 69

At Waco, Texas, Jason Sasser scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading the Red Raiders (13-1, 3-0 SWC) over the Bears (6-9, 1-2).