GAME NOTES: The St. John's Red Storm gun for their fourth win in a row tonight, as they take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in Big East play at Fifth Third Arena. The Red Storm has started to build its way back up following a six-game slide, as it has captured victories in each of its past three outings. The team was most recently in action on Saturday, when it slipped past Providence, 64-62. With the win, SJU improved itself to 10-12 overall and 4-7 in conference play. As for Cincinnati, it also comes into the game on a winning note, outlasting Rutgers, 72-68, in overtime on Saturday. It was the second win in three games for the Bearcats, who are just 11-12 overall, but 6-5 in conference play. The team now returns back home, where it has logged a 3-2 record against league foes. In terms of the all-time series, SJU owns a 5-2 edge over Cincinnati and that includes 70-58 triumph earlier this season.

SJU shot 47.3 percent from the field and it turned 15 Providence miscues into 25 points in a narrow 64-62 triumph over the weekend. Larry Wright led the way with 16 points off the bench, while Sean Evans had 12 points and nine rebounds. Eugene Lawrence and Justin Burrell also got involved, netting 10 points apiece. The Red Storm was once again without leading scorer Anthony Mason Jr., who is nursing an ankle injury. Mason Jr. is averaging 13.5 ppg for the season and he is listed as questionable for tonight. Burrell, the team's top rebounder 6.7 rpg, is the only other player on the roster scoring in double figures at the moment, with 12.3 ppg. As a team, SJU is netting a mediocre 64.2 ppg on 41.8 percent shooting from the field.

The Bearcats dominated the boards, 52-37, including a 15-7 edge on the offense glass, as they defeated Rutgers in overtime this past weekend. The solid effort on the boards helped compensate for the team's 14 turnovers and sub par 12- of-20 effort at the foul line. John Williamson led the charge with 22 points and six boards, while Deonta Vaughn had 19 points and seven rebounds. For the season, Vaughn tops the roster in scoring (17.8 ppg) as well as assists (3.8 apg) and he is also shooting 39.8 percent from beyond the arc. Williamson is next in order at 10.1 ppg and he is ripping down a team-best 6.0 rpg. Overall, Cincinnati is turning in 66.1 ppg on the strength of 42.2 percent shooting from the floor this season.

Both teams appear to be pretty evenly matched, but the Bearcats are a bit healthier and playing at home and that is why they should prevail tonight.