CINCINNATI (AP) -- Octavious Ellis scored 12 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and had three blocks to lead Cincinnati to a 69-48 victory over East Carolina on Tuesday night.
The Bearcats defense was suffocating all evening, holding East Carolina to just 27 percent shooting from the field and 5 of 22 from the 3-point line. The Bearcats also had a decided edge on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 47-35.
Kevin Johnson also finished with 12 points for Cincinnati (11-3, 2-0 American Conference). Troy Caupain added 10 points and six assists for the Bearcats.
Cincinnati did much of its damage in the first half, opening the game on an 8-2 scoring stretch and never looking back, taking a 38-22 lead at the half. The Bearcats would continue that momentum into the second half, opening on a 12-4 stretch.
B.J. Tyson scored 13 points to lead East Carolina (7-9, 0-3).
