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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati men's basketball team closed out exhibition play Saturday, using a strong offensive second half to beat Fairmont State 71-54.
The Bearcats, 2-0 in exhibition play, open the regular season on Friday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. against Saint Francis (Pa.) inside Fifth Third Arena.
Trailing 30-29 at the break, UC opened the second half on a 9-2 run that was capped by a pair of dunks from Octavius Ellis (Memphis, Tenn./Trinity Valley CC), giving UC a 39-32 lead with 15:04 remaining.
UC pushed its lead to double digits, using a 12-5 run over 6:18 to lead 53-40 with 7:44 to go. From there, the Bearcats pushed the lead to as many as 20 and Farimont State's offense went cold with the Fighting Falcons going 28 percent from the field and 1-of-15 from behind the three-point line.
The Bearcats scored over half their points (40) in the paint and held a 41-29 rebounding edge. Fairmont State turned it over 16 times and UC converted to the tune of 22 points.
Ellis scored a game-high 16, going 8-of-9 from the field, grabbing 10 rebounds and throwing down six dunks. In a pair of exhibition contests, Ellis tallied 28 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks.
Shaq Thomas (Paterson, N.J./NIA Prep School) poured in 13 and grabbed eight rebounds. Coreontae DeBerry (Holland, Mich./Hutchinson CC) finished with six points and six rebounds while Troy Caupain (Midlothian, Va./Cosby) added six points with six assists and no turnovers.
For the Fighting Falcons, Jamel Morris and Thomas Wimbush tied for the team lead, scoring 14 apiece with Wimbush adding eight rebounds. Nick Harney added 10 points and five boards.
UC trailed 30-29 at the half on the strength of a Fairmont State squad that opened the game shooting over 70 percent, making eight of its first 10 baskets. The Bearcats got to the line 12 times, but could not take advantage, shooting 50 percent (6-of-12).
It was an inside versus outside matchup early as UC scored 20 of its 29 points in the paint and Fairmont State scored 21 of its 30 from behind the arc. The Bearcats forced nine turnovers, converting them into 13 points.
Season ticket packages for the 2014-15 Bearcats campaign start at just $99 in the Bearcat Lair section where sales are at an eight-year high.
The UC home schedule features key games against nonconference opponents VCU, San Diego State, and Xavier. The Bearcats' American Athletic Conference home schedule includes contests with Temple, SMU, Memphis, and defending national champion UConn.
Additional locations are available for purchase for the final exhibition game with lower level tickets starting at $10. Please visit BearcatsBasketball.com or call 1-877-CATS-TIX for more information about all ticket options.