St. John's needed a win against Cincinnati to get back near the top of the Big East, but they were foiled at the free throw line.

They lost 53-51 to the Bearcats after going 14-of-26 from the foul line, including the front end of a 1-and-1 with 23.9 seconds left.

"I'm a 90-percent free throw shooter and I should have made the shot," said Dwight Hardy, who missed the 1-and-1. "Unfortunately I missed it short. Next time I'll have to get more legs into it."