Caupain scores 17 points, lifts Cincinnati over E Illinois 54-49 in Emerald Coast Classic
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Troy Caupain scored 17 points to lead Cincinnati to a 54-49 victory over Eastern Illinois on Sunday night in the first game of the Emerald Coast Classic for both teams.
Trae Anderson made a pair of free throw attempts to tie it at 32. Shaquille Thomas answered with a field goal to give Cincinnati a 34-32 lead with 16:28 to play, and the Bearcats led the rest of the way. Octavius Ellis' layup stretched Cincinnati's lead to 51-42 with 2:21 remaining.
Caupain made 8 of 13 field goals. Ellis finished with seven points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.
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Anderson and Reggie Smith scored 12 points, and Chris Olivier had 11 for the Panthers, who shot just 29.5 percent on 18-of-61 shooting from the field.
Cincinnati (3-0) will host N.C. Central next in the tournament, and Eastern Illinois (1-3) plays at Creighton on Tuesday night.