CINCINNATI — Trevon Scott had another double-double, but it was another number in the box score — one on the other side of the ledger — that meant the most to him.
Scott played a hand in holding down East Carolina’s Jayden Gardner, the key to Cincinnati coasting to an 82-57 victory Sunday.
Gardner came in with a streak of scoring at least 20 points in eight of the last nine games. He was limited to 13 points — his lowest total in 13 games — as the Bearcats’ front line dominated.
“We did a great job executing our game plan,” Scott said. “When I’m on him, I do what I do. I feel I’m a defender before an offensive player. I feel I’d had a bad game if I let him score 15, 16, 18 points.”
Scott had 16 points and 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double. Guard Keith Williams added eight points and a career-high 11 rebounds for Cincinnati (11-7, 4-2 American Athletic Conference). Jarron Cumberland had 13 points and seven assists.
The Bearcats’ front line dominated in rebounds 46-34 and blocked eight shots.
East Carolina (8-10, 2-3) has lost two straight, coming off a stretch of six wins in seven games. Brandon Suggs scored 16 points for the Pirates, who struggled on offense for the second game in a row.
East Carolina was coming off its worst offensive showing of the season, a 65-49 loss to Tulsa. The Pirates had a season low in points and shot a season-low 29.2% from the field.
The shooting troubles continued Sunday. East Carolina shot only 26.7% from the field while falling behind 43-23. Cincinnati led by double digits the rest of the way as the Pirates shot 32.8% overall.
Gardner has been the Pirates’ catalyst. He managed only six points and one rebound while Cincinnati built its 20-point lead.
Gardner came into the game leading Division I in free throws attempted and made. He got to the line only three times and made all of his free throws.
“We had different coverages on different parts of the floor that allowed us not to foul,” Cincinnati coach John Brannen said. “He was the focal point of the game plan.
“Listen, he’s been the focal point of everybody’s game plan, getting 20 a night. I’m real excited about how everybody took to the game plan.”
Big Picture
East Carolina: The Pirates’ recent surge had been a function of improved defense that had allowed an average of 65.1 points in the last eight games. The Bearcats piled up the most points allowed by the Pirates since an 85-75 loss to Coppin State on Dec. 3.
Cincinnati: Cumberland, the AAC’s top player last season, had been doing better after a rough start to his senior season. He averaged 15 points in his previous six games, but went only 4 of 12 from the field Sunday.
Series Stuff
The Bearcats lead the series 13-2, including 8-0 in Cincinnati. The Pirates won the only meeting last season, 73-71 in Greenville.
Foul Play
East Carolina’s J.J. Miles picked up his fourth foul at 18:12 of the second half. Suggs got his fourth midway through the second half and fouled out with 1:44 left.
Up Next
East Carolina completes a two-game trip at SMU on Wednesday.
Cincinnati plays at Temple on Wednesday.
Gudmundsson scores 21 to lift Davidson over Fordham
Jon Axel Gudmundsson had 21 points with four 3-pointers and nine assists as Davidson topped Fordham 74-62 on Sunday.
Mike Jones had 15 points for Davidson (8-9, 2-3 Atlantic 10 Conference). Carter Collins added 11 points and seven rebounds. Nelson Boachie-Yiadom had three blocks.
Gudmundsson became the fourth player in school history to reach 500 career assists.
Fordham scored 41 points in the first half, a season high for the team.
Onyi Eyisi had 17 points for the Rams (6-11, 0-5), whose losing streak stretched to five games. Ty Perry added 13 points. Chris Austin had 11 points.
Davidson faces Saint Louis at home on Wednesday. Fordham takes on George Washington at home on Wednesday.
