HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Sophomore Jarron Cumberland scored 20 points for the second time in his career, and Cincinnati's full-court pressure forced 22 turnovers Monday night as the 12th-ranked Bearcats pulled away to a 102-51 victory over Western Carolina.
Cincinnati (2-0) won its 28th straight home game -- a streak that spans two arenas -- with the type of defense that's been the program's hallmark. The Bearcats allowed 77 points during an opening win over Savannah State, making defense a point of emphasis.
Western Carolina (0-2) rarely got an uncontested shot and had trouble getting the ball up the court against Cincinnati's trapping defense, which had 11 steals.