CINCINNATI, Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Jaquon Parker and Dion Dixon combined for 49 points Wednesday and keyed a defensive effort that brought Cincinnati a 72-61 win over No. 7 Marquette.
The Bearcats held the Golden Eagles to 21 field goals for the game and to 33 percent shooting while winning for the fourth time in five contests. Cincinnati has a 5-3 record this season against ranked opponents and will enjoy a bye past the first round of the 16-team Big East Conference tournament.
Parker scored 28 points with seven rebounds and Dixon had four steals along with his 21 points. Only four other Cincinnati players scored.
The Bearcats improved to 21-9 for the season and to 11-6 in the Big East with only a road game against Villanova left prior to the tournament.
Darius Johnson-Odom had 18 points for Marquette (24-6, 13-4), which had won five in a row.
Cincinnati took the lead for good with a 14-4 run that put the Bearcats in front at 23-15 with 8:37 to go in the opening half.
