The atmosphere was right for an upset of No. 10 Cincinnati, and things looked promising early for Tulane.
Junior standout Melvin Frazier made a tough left-handed layup and the ensuing free throw tied the game just four minutes in, sending the large home crowd into a frenzy.
It was short lived.
The Green Wave shot a dismal 25 percent from the field in the first half as Cincinnati cruised to a 78-49 American Athletic Conference win at Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse Thursday night.
Cincinnati's constant defensive pressure -- that resulted in 17 turnovers -- coupled with a solid shooting night from the Bearcats led to a 19-point halftime lead that proved to be too much for Tulane to overcome.