CINCINNATI (AP) — Octavius Ellis had 16 points and 12 rebounds, Gary Clark added 15 and 12, and Cincinnati outlasted East Carolina 75-60 on Saturday.
Cincinnati led by eight at the break, but East Carolina fought to tie it at 42-all with 13:37 left. The Bearcats quickly recovered and pushed the lead to double digits in just over three minutes, helped by a 3-pointer and dunk from Kevin Johnson.
Johnson scored all 13 of his points in the second half and was one of five Bearcats (19-7, 9-4 American) to score in double figures.
East Carolina (10-15, 2-10) led 23-22 with 6:48 left in the first half, but a 12-3 Bearcats run helped Cincinnati enter halftime with the advantage.
Prince Williams led the Pirates with 15 points.
Cincinnati shot 56 percent from the field in the second half and outscored East Carolina in the paint 38-22.
