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Fans embrace old Crosstown Shootout rivalry in new Fifth Third Arena

708 views · Published 17 December 2018 · 2:15 · Indexed 27 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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CLIFTON, Ohio (WKRC) – Heading into the 86th meeting between Cincinnati and Xavier’s men’s basketballs teams, UC held the series edge 50-35. However, Xavier’s won four of the last five meetings. But none of that matters when it comes to Crosstown Shootout.

“It’s just such a tradition, you know," Erin Kroell said. "You never know what to expect every year.”

Inside the brand new Fifth Third Arena, a sellout crowd of mostly UC fans are ready for the annual meeting of two big-time basketball programs whose campuses are just three miles apart.

“It's a good time, good rivalry,” Mike Amick said.

Neither team is currently ranked but when the two met a year ago, both were in the top 10. Xavier won that game 89-76.

"A revenge type game," UC guard Keith Williams said. "You know last year those guys crushed us at their gym. So, it was like payback today.”

Behind Jarron Cumberland’s 19 points and Williams' 16 points, the Bearcats ran away from Xavier in the second half, winning 62-47.

"The energy was amazing," UC student Jaylon Warren said. "I'm so excited. I have so much adrenaline in me right now.”

That was the general feeling with UC fans after the game.

"It was absolutely amazing," UC student Keith Sales said. "Got to have it in the new arena. Couldn't be any better and we won by like more than 10. So what could be better than that?"

With the win, UC has taken two of the last three meetings. UC improves to 9-1, while Xavier drops to 6-4.

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