The right to needle your arch-rival in college basketball goes to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats who held off nemesis Xavier 68-65 Saturday afternoon. Xavier's Zach Freemantle had an open three-point look that failed giving UC the come from behind win.

The 92nd Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout between Xavier and No. 22 UC tips off at Fifth Third Arena Saturday afternoon.

Xavier's Zach Freemantle had a great look from the wing, but his game-tying 3-point attempt was off the mark and UC earned its first Crosstown Shootout victory since 2018.

Cincinnati Bearcats basketball leads the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout 51-40. But, Xavier's won the last five with UC struggling in close games.

Before the game, UC hosted a pair of four-star recruits on the floor. Chris Washington Jr. is originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and is a 6-foot-7 small forward with multiple Power Four offers. Jayden Johnson is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Louisville Trinity also being pursued by a who’s who of schools. Both are from the prep class of 2026.

Cincinnati Bearcats forward Dillon Mitchell (23) dunks in the first half of the 92nd Annual Crosstown Shootout NCAA basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Xavier

Photos form the crosstown shootout between Xavier Musketeers at Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024.