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Cincinnati searching for impressive win at Pittsburgh

Feb 14, 2009 - 11:31 AM Cincinnati (17-8) at No. 4 Pittsburgh (22-2) 4:00 p.m. EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Cincinnati has hung tough in the nation's best conference this season, but has yet to claim a signature win.

The Bearcats look to improve their resume on Saturday when they visit fourth-ranked Pittsburgh.

Cincinnati (17-8, 7-5 Big East) is currently tied for sixth in the league after putting together three straight wins, including a 71-61 victory over St. John's on Wednesday to sweep the season series.

However, the Bearcats' seven wins inside the Big East are against five teams currently sitting in the bottom six of the conference while their five losses have come against Top 25 teams Connecticut, Marquette, Villanova as well as a pair of setbacks to Providence.

Cincinnati will have to reverse that trend if it plans to get past the Panthers (22-2, 9-2), who are currently in a three-way tie for second place in the Big East courtesy of a four-game win streak.

Despite missing DeJuan Blair for a majority of the game due to foul trouble, Pittsburgh posted a 70-59 victory over West Virginia on Monday on the strength of 20 points from Sam Young and 13 points and seven assists from Levance Fields.