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HOUSTON (AP) -- Scoring against Cincinnati is no easy task.
Kyle Washington had 19 points and nine rebounds as the 22nd-ranked Bearcats extended their winning streak to six games Saturday night with a 67-58 victory over Houston.
Troy Caupain added 13 points, Jacob Evans had 12 and Gary Clark chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds. Cincinnati (13-2, 3-0 American Athletic Conference) shot only 39 percent but hit 10 of 24 from 3-point range.
"I thought our defense was obviously excellent and carried us tonight," coach Mick Cronin said. "We didn't play great on offense, but didn't turn the ball over for layups. At the end of the day, we got enough stops and rebounds and that was big."
The Bearcats, who entered ranked among the nation's leaders in field goal percentage defense, blocks and scoring defense, made it tough for Houston to get much going.
"We're known for getting stops and playing solid on defense," Caupain said. "If we don't play solid on defense, they could have easily scored 75 or 80 points. We tried to do what we had to do -- play solid and rebound."
The Bearcats used an 11-2 run over a three-minute stretch to take a 50-36 lead on two free throws by Kevin Johnson with 12:13 left. Washington had six points during the spurt.
Houston (12-4, 3-1) got no closer than six the rest of the way.
"We played with great confidence and poise," Cronin said. "We believed we were going to win. We played with confidence. We never hung our heads when they made a run at us."
Rob Gray, who missed Wednesday's win with the flu, led the Cougars with 21 points but was 0 for 7 on 3s. Wes VanBeck had 11 points and Damyean Dotson added 10 points and 10 rebounds for Houston, which never led. The Cougars shot 37 percent and just 3 of 19 from beyond the arc.
"It seemed like we were playing uphill all night," coach Kelvin Sampson said. "I thought they shot the ball well, especially in key possessions."
The Bearcats led 23-11 with 9:36 remaining in the first half after a 3 by Evans, but Houston outscored Cincinnati 14-7 to close the period and cut the margin to five. Evans had nine points in the half to lead Cincinnati.