Cincinnati downs Tulane in AAC opener, 88-77

CINCINNATI – Tulane Men’s Basketball dropped its first game of conference play 88-77 to the Bearcats on Thursday night inside Fifth Third Arena.

Four players would reach double digit scoring figures with Kevin Cross dropping 22 points with eight rebounds. Jaylen Forbes had 20, Jalen Cook finished with 15 points and Sion James tabbed 12.

Cincinnati led by as much as 17 in the first half, shooting 58.1% from the field.

Tulane shot just 38.7 percent from the field and went 0-10 from beyond the arc in the first half. Leading to their first deficit heading to the locker room of the season at 35-45.

The Wave drew first blood in the second half, with Cross hitting the first three pointer of the game. Finding a rhythm, Tulane would get as close as four down just five minutes into the half.

Three members of the Green Wave would be in foul trouble late in the second, down just two at 64-62. Momentum swung the Bearcats with Cook fouling out with eight minutes left to play.

Tulane trailed 81-73 with two minutes left in the second half but did not draw any closer.