Bearcats lose in OT to Marquette, 79-76

Published Feb. 21, 2010 3:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

By JOE KAY
AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Lazar Hayward emerged from a shooting slump at the end, hitting a 3-pointer that sent the game to overtime and adding five more points Sunday while rallying Marquette to a 79-76 victory over Cincinnati.

It was a significant game for two teams jostling to make the NCAA tournament. Marquette (17-9, 8-6 Big East) entered seventh in the conference standings, and Cincinnati (15-11, 6-8) was eighth. Marquette is one of the league's hottest teams, winning six of seven.

Hayward, fifth on Marquette's career scoring list, had a second straight subpar game, missing nine of 10 shots before hitting the tying 3 with 27.5 seconds left in regulation. Cincinnati's Rashad Bishop then missed a long jumper. Another 3 by Hayward put Marquette ahead to stay in overtime.

Darius Johnson-Odom and Jimmy Butler led Marquette with 20 points apiece. Bishop had 17 for Cincinnati.