Sports

No. 13 Cincinnati rallies for 14th straight win, 50-45 over South Florida

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Cincinnati forward Justin Jackson (5) shoots over South Florida forward Chris Perry (23) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) (The Associated Press)

Cincinnati center David Nyarsuk (33) blocks a shot by South Florida guard Javontae Hawkins (21) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) (The Associated Press)

Sean Kilpatrick overcame an off-target performance by scoring 10 of his 18 points in the closing minutes on Sunday, rallying No. 13 Cincinnati to its 14th straight victory, 50-45 over South Florida.

The Bearcats (21-2, 10-0 American Athletic) trailed by three points with 8 minutes left. Kilpatrick, who leads the conference in scoring, took over the game and extended Cincinnati's best start since the 2001-02 season, when it was in Conference USA.

The senior guard made six free throws and two driving lay-ins, scoring 10 of Cincinnati's final 12 points. Justin Jackson added 15 points as Cincinnati won its 17th straight home game, 15 of them this season.

South Florida (11-11, 2-7) suffered another close loss to the Bearcats, who broke open a tie game for a 61-54 win on Jan. 18.