Nov 24, 2001
Final Stats
By JOE KAY
AP Sports Writer
CINCINNATI - Steve Logan scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half, finally shaking free of a defense aimed at shutting him down, and Cincinnati pulled away to a 74-61 victory over UNLV on Saturday.
The Bearcats (2-1) took control in the first half by working the ball inside against a man-to-man defense focused on Logan. The Conference USA's Player of the Year missed his first five shots and was only 1-of-6 in the half.
Logan found open shots on the perimeter in the second half and made them. He made his first five attempts, including three 3-pointers, as the Bearcats surged ahead by 21 points. UNLV (2-1) never got closer than 13 points the rest of the way.
Six-foot-11 center Donald Little, who has always worn goggles to protect his eyes from getting poked, went without them for the first time and had one of his better games. He scored 14 points - his best total in 36 games - and had eight rebounds.
Lou Kelly led UNLV with 19 points.
Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins and first-year UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour shared a warm handshake and a laugh before the game. The two became close friends when Spoonhour coached at Saint Louis for six seasons.
Spoonhour usually figured out how to shut down Cincinnati's top scorer during those years as Conference USA rivals. Also, he usually lost - Huggins' teams won 14 of their 17 games.
Make it 15 of 18. Their latest get-together followed the script.
Logan, who scored 31 and 21 points in Cincinnati's first two games, darted through UNLV's defense but couldn't shake free for an open shot. The strategy kept Logan in check but left UNLV vulnerable inside, where the Bearcats had the better matchups.
Leonard Stokes made a pair of close-range baskets, starting a 20-7 run that put Cincinnati up 21-11.
Fouls also took a toll on UNLV. Forward Omari Pearson, its top rebounder in the first two games, got two fouls in the first 2:22 and picked up his third with 5:59 left in the half.
Logan opened the second half by hitting a pair of 3-pointers, starting a surge that pushed a 10-point lead to 56-35.
