A dominant second-half performance propelled top-seeded Houston in the American Athletic Conference Championships quarterfinal with a 69-56 victory against 8-seed Cincinnati.
Cincinnati opened the game on a 10-4 run including two 3-pointers by guard Jeremiah Davenport.
After sophomore guard Jamal Shead opened the scoring for UH, the Cougars went 0-for-5 from the field and picked up five team fouls with 15:12 left in the first half.
The Bearcats showed up with intensity on the defensive side of the ball, forcing four UH turnovers without giving any up.
The Cougars cleaned up offensively and began finding the basket to cut the deficit to 15-10 with 11:35 remaining in the half.