CINCINNATI -- Jermaine Sanders scored 16 points to lead four Cincinnati players in double figures and the Bearcats used an explosive start to the second half to take an 84-53 victory over Temple on Saturday night.

Kevin Johnson added 14 points, Octavius Ellis 13 and Gary Clark 11.

Leading 29-28, the Bearcats, who shot just 32.1 percent in the first half, made their first 11 field-goal attempts after the break and went up 58-38. Cincinnati (12-5, 3-2 American) finished 20 of 26 for 76.9 percent in the second half to end up at 53.7 for the game. The Bearcats' lead reached a high of 35 points with 2:31 left.

Jesse Morgan led Temple (12-7, 3-3) with 15 points with Obi Enechionyia adding 14. The Owls were without senior point guard and captain Will Cummings (12.9 points per game), who has been hampered by a strained muscle in his lower left leg.