Xavier Falls at Home to Gonzaga 72-65

Xavier was at full strength for the first time since they defeated Cincinnati in the fight marred, Crosstown Shootout but Gonzaga outrebounded, outshot and out played the home team in a 72-65 win at the Cintas Center.

Sam Dower had career highs with 22 points and 10 rebounds and the Musketeers had no answer for him.

Gonzaga held a 44-31 edge in rebounding, 14 on offense, leading to 17 second chance points.  Xavier had 10 points off offensive rebounds so that differential was the difference in the game.

Gonzaga scored 24 points from behind the 3-point line with Dower a post player, hitting two big outside shots.

"The ball was falling in the warm ups and it carried over into the game," Dower said.  "I was just using what the defense gave me.  I guess they scouted me and didn't think, I could hit the mid-range shot."

Xavier coach Chris Mack, knew all about Dower but didn't have the answer to his hot shooting hand.

"We knew he was really good.  He had a good game against us last year in less minutes," Mack said.  "We did a good job against their outside shooters but Dower made shot after shot with the shot clock winding down."

Gonzaga's freshman guards have been carrying the scoring for the team.

Coach Mark Few has seen Dower shoot like that before.

"When he gets going like that, we call his number.  Our guys did a good job of finding him.  It wasn't an out-of-body experience.  He's done that before," Few said.

Dez Wells played for the first time since the Cincinnati game, after serving a four-game suspension.  The rust showed.  Wells scored in double figures in four of the Musketeers first eight games but managed only eight against Gonzaga.  He was just 2-for-7 from the field.

Tu Holloway and Mark Lyons led Xavier with 15 points each.  Kenny Frease scored 12 and led the team with six rebounds.

"That was a great win for our program," Few said.  "That team had not lost a game when they were complete."

Xavier drops to 9-4, losing four of the last five.  Gonzaga improved to 11-2.

University of Cincinnati Wins The Liberty Bowl 31-24

Isaiah Pead russhed for 149 yards and the clinching touchdown as UC won its 10th game of the season over Vanderbilt of the SEC.  It was the fourth time in five seasons that the Bearcats have won 10 games in a season, ending with a record of 10-3.

Zach Callaros the senior quarterback, came all the way back from breaking his ankle just seven weeks ago.  He didn't have the best game statistically but led his team to the win.

Bengals Hold On To Win 23-16

Bengals now wait for the Giants to complete their win over the Jets.  The Arizona drive ended at the Bengals 15.

The Bengals Forced to Punt Arizona Has The Ball on Its Own 40 with :48 To Play

The Bengals could not run out the clock

Bengals Catch a Christmas Break

The Cardinals had a fourth and five at the Bengals 22 yard line.  John Skelton had receiver, Early Doucet wide open in the endzone.  It was as if forces tackled the wide open receiver.  Doucet fell with no Bengal defender within 10 yards.  The Bengals have to run out the last 1:42 to seal the win.

Giants lead the Jets 20-7 with 8:43 left in the game.

Cedric Benson Fumbles The Ball Back to Arizona at the Bengal 24

With the Bengals trying to run out the clock, Calais Campbell forced a fumble which the Cardinals recovered. Arizona has scored 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Arizona Closes Gap to 23-16

Jay Feely kicked a 29-yard field goal to get the Cardinals within a touchdown.  Arizona had the ball first and goal at the Cincinnati one-yard line but a fumble put them back to the six.   They failed to get into the endzone.

Cardinals First Trip Across the 50 Leads to a Touchdown Bengala Hold 23-13 Lead

John Skelton hit Larry Fitzgerald with a 30-yard pass.  After a fumble Arizona scored on a two-yard pass play but missed the two-point conversion.

Bengal Lead 23-0 after Three Quarters

The Bengals have the ball and the Cardinals still haven't crossed midfield.  The Giants lead the Jets, 10-7.

Mike Nugent Kicks His Third Field Goal Bengals 23 Cardinals 0

Nugent kicked his third field goal in five attempts, this time a 33-yarder.  The drive capped a Bengals drive aided by a costly roughing the passer penalty after Dalton threw what would have been an interception.

Reggie Nelson Picks off John Skelton for the Third Time

John Skelton, who isn't as funny to Arizona fans as Red Skelton, threw his third interception on the Cardinals first second half possession.  Arizona has yet to cross into Bengals territory.

Mike Nugent Ends the First Half With a 41-yard Field Goal

The Bengals take a 20-0 lead at the half....Meanwhile in New York the Giants lead the Jets 10-7 late in the first half.

Jerome Simpson Leaps Into the Endzone

Jerome Simpson leaped the Arizona defender at the four-yard line and stuck the landing.  The acrobatic catch and run give the Bengals a whopping 17-0 lead.

Simpson caught the 19-yard pass from Dalton around the 12-yard line and raced to the corner.  Linebacker Daryl Washington, 6'2" and 230 lbs cut him off.  Simpson leaped over Washington flipped completely and landed on his feet.

Cincinnati Enquirer writer, Joe Reedy, put up a gymnastic style score card and gave him a '9' because he stuck the landing.

Nate Clements Intercepts For Bengals

The Bengals have two interceptions and three sacks.  The Cardinals have not crossed mid field.

Mike Nugent Misses a 48 Yard Field Goal Attempt

Nugent missed for the second straight time.  The miss gives Arizona its best start of a drive at their own 38 yard line.

Mike Nugent Misses a 48 Yard Field Goal Attempt

Nugent missed for the second straight time.  The miss gives Arizona its best start of a drive at their own 38 yard line.

Nugent Missed a 35 Yard Field Goal Attempt

The Bengals lead remains 10-0.

Bengals 10 Cardinals 0 End Of 1st Quarter

The Bengals score on its first two possessions.  The Cardinals have not been beyond mid field in three possessions.

Bengals Score

Andy Dalton connected with Jermaine Gresham for an 11-yard touchdown pass.  Mike Nugent kicked the extra point...Bengals 10- Arizona 0

The TD pass extends Andy Dalton's Bengal rookie record to 19.

Bengals Sack Skelton Again and Take Over at the Arizona 49

Carlos Dunlap sacked John Skelton on a third and six for a nine yard loss.

Meanwhile in New York the Jets took a 7-0 over the Giants.  The Bengals are battling the Jets for the sixth and final playoff spot.