CINCINNATI 81, PROVIDENCE 66: Sean Kilpatrick scored 22 points and the host Bearcats closed with a flurry after nearly blowing a 24-point lead.

Yancy Gates added 16 points and nine rebounds for Cincinnati (18-8, 8-5 Big East). The Bearcats entered having lost four of six after allowing a season-high 95 points to No. 13 Marquette on Saturday, but bounced back by holding Providence to two field goals over the final three-plus minutes.

The lock-down defense helped Cincinnati survive a furious Friars’ rally led by Vincent Council and freshman LaDontae Henton. Council tied his career high with 29 points and Henton added 24.

The duo nearly willed out-manned Providence (13-14, 2-12) to a stunning come-from-behind victory, but received little help. The rest of the team was 5 of 19 from the field.

The Bearcats led 41-26 at the half and by 24 points with just over 14 minutes to play, but seemed to take their foot off the gas, and that allowed the Friars to climb back into it.

A 29-12 run, which was capped by Gerard Coleman’s dunk in transition, cut the deficit to 66-59 with 4:26 to play.

But Providence went cold at the wrong time and was dealt its fourth straight loss. It was also the Friars' 22nd straight road setback in Big East play.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Providence shot only 37 percent in the first half (10 of 27). … Council also scored 29 points last season against Wyoming. … Cincinnati scored 26 of its 41 first-half points in the paint.