RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Shaq Thomas matched his career high of 15 points to help Cincinnati beat North Carolina State 76-60 on Tuesday.
Troy Caupain added 13 points in a one-sided win for the Bearcats (9-3), who were without head coach Mick Cronin due to medical reasons for the third straight game. Cincinnati led just about the entire way and by double figures for most of the game, beating the Wolfpack (10-4) for the second straight season.
Cincinnati shot 54 percent, led 41-26 at halftime and pushed that margin to 19 midway through the second half. The Bearcats never that lead slip to single digits, either.
Anthony "Cat" Barber scored 15 points to lead N.C. State, though the Wolfpack's offense looked out of rhythm from the start against Cincinnati's press and zone defenses. N.C. State committed early turnovers to give the Bearcats momentum and found itself playing from behind nearly all afternoon.
Top scorer Trevor Lacey finished with just six points on 1-for-8 shooting, while outside shooter Ralston Turner finished with just five points -- a crippling lack of production for a team that has relied on its backcourt all season.
N.C. State, which had rallied from 18 down after halftime to beat Louisiana Tech in its last game, twice got the lead to 10 in the final 5 minutes.
But the Bearcats answered N.C. State's last push with three straight baskets, starting with Octavius Ellis dunking home a miss from Gary Clark then Thomas banking in a shot off a spin move.
Jermaine Sanders followed with a layup to make it 69-53 with 2:18 and essentially seal the win.
For Cincinnati, it was a good way to head into American Athletic Conference play this weekend. The Bearcats controlled the glass (31-26) and shot 14 for 23 (61 percent) after halftime to prevent the Wolfpack from stringing together any run-building baskets.
TIP-INS
Cincinnati: Freshman forward Gary Clark finished with nine points and four rebounds in his return to his home state. He is from Clayton, about 20 minutes east of Raleigh. ... Cronin hasn't coached since doctors discovered he had an unruptured aneurysm before a loss to VCU on Dec. 20.
N.C. State: The Wolfpack trailed 50-32 in the second half for the second straight game. ... This was N.C. State's final nonconference game of the season.
UP NEXT
Cincinnati hosts SMU in Saturday's league opener.
