CINCINNATI -- Troy Caupain scored 13 points with a trio of 3-pointers and added six assists and three steals as Cincinnati broke away from Houston 67-54 on Wednesday night.

Caupain hit a 3-pointer early in the second half to snap a 33-all tie, sparking a 14-5 run as the Bearcats (13-5, 4-2 American Athletic Conference) took control. Houston (7-11, 0-7) came as close as four points after the breakaway run.

Octavius Ellis scored 11 for Cincinnati -- including going 5 of 5 at the free-throw line. Shaquille Thomas added 10 points.

Danrad Knowles and L.J. Rose scored 15 and 11 points, respectively, for Houston. Rose drilled a 3-pointer early in the second half, lifting Houston into the final tie, 33-33. Knowles scored three 3-pointers and also went 4 of 5 at the foul line, where the Cougars were just 6 of 11.

Cincinnati forced 19 turnovers with 11 steals.