GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Troy Caupain scored 27 points and Cincinnati withstood a late charge to beat East Carolina 65-56 on Saturday.
Cincinnati led by as many as 16 in the second half, but a 20-7 run by East Carolina over 8 ½ minutes trimmed its deficit to two on Prince Williams' layup with 5:33 to go. The Bearcats responded with a five-point spurt, including Jacob Evans' 3-pointer, and kept the Pirates at bay down the stretch.
Caupain was 9 of 14 with four 3-pointers for Cincinnati (21-8, 11-5 American), which has won four of five and remained one game behind conference leader Temple (18-10, 12-4) with two games to play. Evans finished with 18 points and seven rebounds while Octavius Ellis added 10 points and 14 boards.
East Carolina (11-18, 3-13) was led by Williams with 18 points. Kentrell Barkley had 14 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
