Cashemere Wright celebrates as the Cats begin the pull away from Notre Dame. The University of Cincinnati defeated Notre Dame on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2011 at 5/3 in Cincinnati, Oh. Photo by Pat Strang

Dion Dixon goes up for a layup against Notre Dame. Dixon led the Cats with 18 points while The University of Cincinnati defeated Notre Dame on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2011 at 5/3 in Cincinnati, Oh. Photo by Pat Strang

Sean Kilpatrick and Justin Jackson high-five after a big play in the second half. The University of Cincinnati defeated Notre Dame on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2011 at 5/3 in Cincinnati, Oh. Photo by Pat Strang

Sean Kilpatrick puts up a layup in the second half. The University of Cincinnati defeated Notre Dame on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2011 at 5/3 in Cincinnati, Oh. Photo by Pat Strang

Cashmere Wright puts up a layup in the second half. The University of Cincinnati defeated Notre Dame on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2011 at 5/3 in Cincinnati, Oh. Photo by Pat Strang

Yancy Gates puts up a shot in the paint but is called for a charge in the process. The University of Cincinnati defeated Notre Dame on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2011 at 5/3 in Cincinnati, Oh. Photo by Pat Strang

Cashmere Wright gets fouled hard on his way to the basket. The University of Cincinnati defeated Notre Dame on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2011 at 5/3 in Cincinnati, Oh. Photo by Pat Strang

JaQuon Parker puts up a shot in the paint against Notre Dame. The University of Cincinnati defeated Notre Dame on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2011 at 5/3 in Cincinnati, Oh. Photo by Pat Strang

Sophomore guard Sean Kilpatrick shoots a layup during the second half of a game between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. The Bearcats defeated the Irish, 71-55 in their Big East home-opener before a season high 10,142 fans.(The News Record/Sam Greene)

Notre Dame guard Jerian Grant runs into the paint during the first half of a game between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. The Bearcats defeated the Irish, 71-55 in their Big East home-opener before a season high 10,142 fans.(The News Record/Sam Greene)

Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey signals to his offense during the second half of a game between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. The Bearcats defeated the Irish, 71-55 in their Big East home-opener before a season high 10,142 fans.(The News Record/Sam Greene)

Notre Dame forward Jack Cooley pushes into Yancy Gates as he attempts to shoot during the first half of a game between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. The Bearcats defeated the Irish, 71-55 in their Big East home-opener before a season high 10,142 fans.(The News Record/Sam Greene)

Senior guard Dion Dixon spins into the paint during the second half of a game between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. The Bearcats defeated the Irish, 71-55 in their Big East home-opener before a season high 10,142 fans.(The News Record/Sam Greene)

Cincinnati senior Dion Dixon dribbles around the arc during the first half of a game between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. The Bearcats defeated the Irish, 71-55 in their Big East home-opener before a season high 10,142 fans.(The News Record/Sam Greene)

Cincinnati junior Jaquon Parker jumps for a three-point basket during the first half of a game between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. The Bearcats defeated the Irish, 71-55 in their Big East home-opener before a season high 10,142 fans.(The News Record/Sam Greene)

Notre Dame guard Alex Dragicevich leaps to make a shot during the first half of a game between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. The Bearcats defeated the Irish, 71-55 in their Big East home-opener before a season high 10,142 fans.(The News Record/Sam Greene)