UC's Gates ‘off’ in season opener

Senior scores 15 points and grabs 11 rebounds, but struggles at line.

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By The Associated Press 11:54 PM Sunday, November 13, 2011

CINCINNATI — Yancy Gates opened the season with a double-double. His coach thinks he can do better.

The 6-foot-9 Cincinnati senior missed four of seven free throws but still scored 15 points and had 11 rebounds in his 14th career double-double and the No. 21 Bearcats opened their regular season with a 65-40 win over Alabama State on Sunday.

“Yancy was fine,” Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said.

“Offensively, I thought he had an off night. They were sending three or four guys at him. I’m sure he’d tell you he was frustrated by his free throws. It’s good when a guy can get a double-double and not have a good night. He’s going to have to learn to deal with three or four guys coming at him.”

Gates believes the Bearcats’ entire offense can be more effective.

“If we want to be good, we’ve got to start getting to that 75-80 (points) range,” he said.

“We’re just getting used to each other, trying to find a rhythm as a team. If we’re going to win, I have to get double figures in rebounds and score the ball. It means I’m doing my part for the team.”

Sean Kilpatrick just missed his first career double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds to help the Bearcats improve to 18-2 in season openers at Fifth-Third Arena, where they will play their first six games this season, including Tuesday against Jacksonville State.

Dion Dixon scored 14 points and Cashmere Wright finished with 10 for Cincinnati, which led by as many as 29 points during the second half.

Alabama State missed 23 of its 30 first-half shots — including all eight 3-pointers — while mustering just 12 points, the fewest scored on the Bearcats in a half since Cronin became coach in the 2006-07 season.

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