East Carolina University
7-9, 0-3
Cincinnati
11-3, 2-0
East Carolina Drops One to Cincinnati, 69-48
January 06, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Game Report 
| Box Score | Photo Gallery 
From wire and staff reports
CINCINNATI - B.J. Tyson scored 13 points and Terry Whisnant added 11, but East Carolina suffered its third consecutive loss Tuesday night, falling to Cincinnati, 68-49.
The Bearcats defense was suffocating all evening, holding East Carolina (7-9, 0-3) 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.
"We needed to come in and make 12 or 13 3s to have a chance and we didn't do that," ECU Head Coach Jeff Lebo said. "The kids battled hard and we defended fairly well, but we struggled on the other end shooting the basketball.
"We can't get discouraged.This league is two notches higher. We're not going to quit and we're not going to procrastinate about getting better.
Cincinnati did much of its damage in the first half, opening the game on an 8-2 scoring run. However, the Pirates refused to fold the tents and remained within striking distance the majority of the first half.
In the final six minutes of the half, Cincinnati doubled its lead over ECU and led 38-22 at intermission. The Pirates were down just eight, 24-16, with 5:52 remaining in the opening stanza, but the Bearcats surged ahead with a 14-6 run to end the period.
Cincinnati pushed its lead to 24 in the opening six minutes of the second half, with ECU cutting its deficit under 20 just once in the final 14 minutes.
Octavious Ellis scored 12 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and had three blocks to lead Cincinnati, while Clayton, N.C. native Gary Clark grabbed 16 rebounds.
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.
East Carolina will have seven days off before returning to action on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at home against Houston.
