Xavier Xavier/Cincinnati Cincinnati Men's College Basketball recap on ESPN

David West scored 23 points as Xavier ditched its uptempo game and pounded the ball inside Thursday night to beat Cincinnati (No. 18 ESPN/USA Today, No. 17 Associated Press) 69-67 in their annual crosstown matchup.

Xavier (6-2) overcame a 15-point first-half deficit and survived two close-up shots by Kenny Satterfield in the closing seconds as it beat the Bearcats for the fourth time in five years.

"We get pepped up for this game," said West, who scored 15 of his points from the free-throw line. "Coach (Skip Prosser) was saying all week that the first team that blinks is going to lose."

Cincinnati (4-2) usually does the blinking, even when it's a huge favorite to win. Twice in the last five years, Xavier has pulled out last-second wins when the Bearcats were unbeaten and ranked No. 1.

The record and the ranking weren't as lofty this time, but the finish was just as pulsating -- and just as tough on the emotions.

"This game hurts a lot because the two schools are so close," said Satterfield, his eyes brimming with tears. "We're friends and we're going to see each other and they're going to rub it in even more."

Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins had his tie loosened, the top button on his white shirt undone and a haggard look on his face as he bemoaned how his front line got overwhelmed by one player. West had a game-high 13 rebounds and went 15-for-19 from the foul line.

Asked about Xavier's annual torment of his team, Huggins got defensive.

"We win 28 or 29 games," he said, referring to Cincinnati's usual total for a season. "Are they better than us? No. They've won some close games."

In this one game, Xavier usually finds a way to come out a few points better. West led the way this time.

He made six free throws and had a putback during a 13-point run that gave Xavier its biggest lead, 64-57, with 4:08 left.

Satterfield directed the Bearcats' offense and had 26 points, including a steal at midcourt and a layup that put Cincinnati ahead 67-65. One sloppy moment and two missed shots by Satterfield figured prominently in the finish.

Xavier's Lloyd Price made the second of two free throws, then stole the ball from Steve Logan at midcourt for a layup that made it 68-67 with 32 seconds left.

Satterfield missed a short jumper with 15 seconds left and West got the rebound -- one of his game-high 13 -- to keep Xavier in control. Maurice McAfee was fouled and made one of his two shots for a 69-67 lead with 12 seconds left.

The Bearcats set up another play for Satterfield, who got off another short, off-target jumper as West put an arm in his face and the clock ran out.

"Just short," Satterfield said in a hushed voice. "I thought it felt good when it left my hand, but it hit the front of the rim and didn't have a chance."

Xavier huddled on the floor right in front of Cincinnati's bench -- the same place they celebrated Lenny Brown's last-second jumper four years ago for a 71-69 win over Danny Fortson's team.

Both teams went out of character in a back-and-forth game that came down to Cincinnati's guards trying to outdo West.

Xavier, which likes to push the pace, couldn't keep up with Satterfield, who hit Cincinnati's first three shots -- all 3s -- and led the Bearcats to a 32-17 lead.

The Musketeers then turned it into a half-court game -- Cincinnati's specialty -- and beat the Bearcats at their own game. West dominated inside, drawing fouls and hitting from the line.

Cincinnati couldn't push West around or stop him from getting the ball inside. Center Donald Little got a technical for throwing an elbow at West in the first half and fouled out in the second half.

Backup B.J. Grove also got four fouls trying to stop West, who helped Xavier win it at the foul line. Xavier was 27-for-40 on free throws.

ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard

Xavier Clubhouse

Cincinnati Clubhouse

HoopsTV: Game of the night

AUDIO/VIDEO
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Leonard Stokes finds Jamaal Davis under the hoop for the easy dunk.
avi: 561 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

Xavier's David West is wide open under the basket for the slam.
avi: 546 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

Leonard Stokes gets the steal off the press then throws it down.
avi: 761 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

Cincinnati's Leonard Stokes throws down the two-handed slam.
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RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

Lloyd Price fires the bounce pass to David West for the transition basket.
avi: 622 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1