'Stars got to be stars': TBT matchup at Cintas Center fuels fire for UC/Xavier rivalry

Xavier's Cintas Center celebrated Christmas in July Saturday night as fans of the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout between the University of Cincinnati and home court Musketeers were blessed with an alumni version of a much-hyped event.

The UC-based Nasty 'Nati team and Xavier's Zip 'Em Up triumphed Friday in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) to set up a game you might otherwise see on a pick-up basis in a local gym.

With most of the lower bowl full, Cintas Center fans were treated to an entertaining affair with the UC alumni getting a treasured road win over the Xavier alumni when former NBA first-round pick Jacob Evans nailed a 3-pointer to put UC over the target score for the win 77-73.

Evans finished with 22 points and seven rebounds while teammate Jarron Cumberland had 23 points and nine rebounds. Friday night, it was Cumberland hitting the game-winner. On this night, the glory belonged to Evans.

"We take turns," Evans joked afterward. "That's what we did when we were in school."

Said head coach Cashmere Wright, "At the end of the day, stars got to be stars, right? That's why we're winning because of these two guys. They put the ball in the bucket when we need it and that's the most important play."

UC 'Cats were (under)dogs

Zip'Em Up was a No. 2 seed, with Nasty 'Nati a No. 6 in the Xavier-hosted regional. The home court Zip'Em Up had the fans cheering with an early 6-0 lead. Then from a 9-4 advantage, they were outscored 26-2 as Nasty 'Nati's largest lead was 30-11 in the second quarter.

The veteran Musketeers rallied with a 17-5 run to get within seven 35-28 at the break, then briefly led 49-45 in the third on five straight points by Remy Abell. By the end of the frame, the score was tied at 55.

"You've got to expect that they're going to make shots, that they're going to make runs," Wright told his team.

Kerem Kanter who led Zip'Em Up with 19 points and nine rebounds traded buckets with Coreontae DeBerry midway through the final quarter and Nasty Nati's lead was 67-63 going to the Elam Ending. That made the target score 75. Nasty 'Nati led 74-73 and the trifecta by Evans did the trick giving the UC-based squad another rare win at Cintas Center, this time against former Xavier players. Smiles and numerous photos ensued.

It's been a while

UC's last Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout win at Xavier was in 2001 and several current and former players were part of the post-game celebration. Evans said despite some talk on the court, there were no issues with their opponents.

"It's all love right now," Evans said. "It's competitive and we buy into the rivalry."

Wright hopes the win shows the young players that is certainly possible to win on Xavier's floor.

Fans were entertained

Several times during the game, the Musketeer faithful chanted, "Let's Go X!" and there was a brief, "Zip'Em Up!" chant when the Xavier alumni surged back ahead in the third quarter. Likewise, UC fans could be heard doing their "Down the Drive" cheer that ends with the arm motions in "U" and "C." Accordingly, there were some joyful waves to the crowd by Nasty 'Nati after the victory, something even more meaningful when it comes during an NCAA Division I non-conference contest between the rivals located less than three miles apart.

"It really means a lot to us," Cumberland said of winning on the floor with the blue X.

Who didn't play

J.P. Macura was injured for Zip'Em Up, while Tre Scott recently signed a two-way NBA deal and was advised by his agent not to participate. He was at the game. Former Bearcat Keith Williams, also on the roster, was out injured.

The path from here

The Xavier regional championship is Monday night at 7 p.m. at Cintas Center as Nasty 'Nati can advance if they defeat the top-seed The Program For Autism. That squad defeated the Fort Wayne Champs 86-74. They came into TBT with an 11-5 career record. A familiar face is Taylor Persons, who played at Northern Kentucky University and Ball State.

"We're having fun right now (after Zip 'Em Up win) but after that, it's game time," Wright said. "If we really want to win, want to make it to the next level, that's the only thing we can care about."

The winner of that would move on to play the winner of the Dayton regional the following week, July 31. Monday's round-of-16 game has tickets starting at $20 at the Xavier ticket website. Nasty 'Nati is three games away from the $1 million dollar TBT championship prize.

NASTY 'NATI 22 13 20 22 77

ZIPE'EM UP 9 19 27 18 73

NN– Evans 8 3 22 Caupain 3 0 6 Letcher-Ellis 4 0 9 DeBerry 4 0 8 Diarra 3 3 9 Cumberland 6 9 23

ZEU– Johnson 3 0 7 Kanter 7 3 19 Bluiett 2 1 6 Lyons 3 0 8 Abell 3 2 9 Weatherspoon 3 1 8

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC/Xavier alumni-based teams take rivalry to TBT game at Cintas Center