Cumberland nets 17 in UC win over Tulsa

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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (AP) — Gary Clark led a 24-4 run that put Cincinnati ahead to stay early in the second half, and the 11th-ranked Bearcats held on for an 82-74 victory over Tulsa on Sunday that preserved their one-game lead in the American Athletic Conference heading into the final week.

Cincinnati (25-4, 14-2) stayed ahead of No. 13 Wichita State (23-5, 13-3) in the race for the regular-season title. The Shockers won on Cincinnati’s home court 76-72 a week ago.

Wichita State plays at UCF on Thursday and hosts Cincinnati next Sunday in a potential showdown game. The Bearcats play at Tulane on Thursday before heading to Wichita State.

The Bearcats struggled defensively, giving up a season-high 14 3-pointers, but made a season-high 15 from beyond the arc. Clark and Jarron Cumberland had 17 points apiece. Cumberland also led UC with eight assists to go along with five rebounds and two steals. The Wilmington High School product was 6 for 10 from the floor, including 4 of 7 beyond the three-point line.

Tulsa (17-11, 10-7) led by eight points early in the second before Clark scored during the decisive run. Junior Etou scored 21 for Tulsa, which had its six-game winning streak snapped.

Cincinnati completed its season playing at Northern Kentucky University while its on-campus arena is renovated, going 14-1 at BB&T Arena.

BIG PICTURE

Tulsa: The Golden Hurricane is wrapping up a regular season that marks a step up for the program. Tulsa went 15-17 last season and 8-10 in the AAC, finishing seventh. It’s fourth in the league with two games to go.

Cincinnati: Even though the Bearcats rank second nationally in defense, they’d given up a lot of open shots in the previous two games, a concern to coach Mick Cronin. The Golden Hurricane got plenty of those, too, while shooting 59 percent in the first half. The Golden Hurricane led 47-44 at the break, the most points Cincinnati has allowed in a half this season.

UP NEXT

Tulsa: Golden Hurricane plays at East Carolina on Thursday. Tulsa opened AAC play by beating ECU 79-53 on Dec. 28.

Cincinnati: The Bearcats have won four straight and 14 of 15 against Tulane, including a 78-61 victory last season.

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More AP college basketball: https://collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Tulsa’s DaQuan Jeffries defends against Cincinnati Jarron Cumberland during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Highland Heights, Ky. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/02/web1_119950156-75568be73d644e0cb7d15b33867fbd4f.jpgTulsa’s DaQuan Jeffries defends against Cincinnati Jarron Cumberland during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Highland Heights, Ky. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin reacts from the bench during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tulsa, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Highland Heights, Ky. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/02/web1_119950156-9c4f7ffc4114452f8e4d24cddc316eae.jpgCincinnati head coach Mick Cronin reacts from the bench during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tulsa, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Highland Heights, Ky. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

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