Cincinnati Basketball: Bearcats beat up Houston at Fifth Third Arena

Mar 2, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Kevin Johnson (left), head coach Mick Cronin (middle left), guard Troy Caupain (middle right) and forward Zack Tobler (right) stand on the court during senior night prior to the game at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats won 65-47. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Cincinnati basketball outplayed Houston on both ends of the floor in an easy victory at home.

In the final game at Fifth Third Arena as we know it — the gym will be undergoing renovations until the 2018-19 season — the Cincinnati Bearcats pounded the Houston Cougars from start-to-finish, notching their 26th win of the season and their 15th in AAC play.

Mick Cronin’s team played a completed game on both ends of the floor as they stifled Houston’s offense with their physical defense and used their timely offense to score in transition and get enough shots to fall in the half court. The Bearcats forced 13 turnovers (Houston averages just 10 per game, which is the fourth fewest in Division I) and held the Cougars to just 38 percent shooting overall and 26 percent from beyond the arc.

On the other end of the court, Cincy was led by Gary Clark, who scored 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds, and Troy Caupain (11 points on Senior Night). Jarron Cumberland was the only other player to score in double figures (10 points) but Jacob Evans and Kevin Johnson pitched in seven apiece.