CINCINNATI (AP) - Eric Hicks had career highs with 21 points and 17 rebounds Monday night, leading No. 22 Cincinnati to a rough-and-tumble 77-53 victory over Miami of Ohio.<br>
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The Bearcats improved to 10-0 for the second season in a row, returning to their favorite style of defense to get it done - the one that comes at the bony edge of an elbow.<br>
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While coach Bob Huggins screamed at them from the bench, the Bearcats turned up their defensive intensity on one of the nation's best shooting teams. Miami (6-3) came into the game hitting 48.1 percent from the field, but got roughed up by Cincinnati's physical man-to-man coverage.<br>
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At one point, referee Ed Hightower had to warn players to cool it. Danny Horace, Miami's best player, spent part of the first half on the bench receiving aid for a nasty cut above his right eye. <br>
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In one telling sequence, Jason Maxiell blocked consecutive shots by two different Redhawks, setting a tone of intimidation. Miami coach Charlie Coles scowled and chomped his gum furiously at courtside while his team got manhandled.<br>
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Maxiell had six blocks before going to the bench late in the game with a cut by his right eye, the result of collision with Horace as he went in to score. James White and Armein Kirkland added 18 apiece for Cincinnati.<br>
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Horace finished with 10 points, his second-lowest total of the season. Doug Penno scored 11 for Miami, which shot a season-low 31.9 percent from the field.<br>
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Miami hit its first three shots, including a 3 by Horace that made it 7-2 and brought the outnumbered Redhawk contingent to its feet.<br>
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Horace, who averages 17.9 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, went to the bench midway through the half with the cut. He managed only six points in the half and one rebound, which led to a putback attempt that was swatted away by Hicks.<br>
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Miami's only recourse was to foul, and that didn't work, either. Starting forward Nathan Peavy went to the bench with his fourth only 13 minutes into the game. Hicks, a brawny power forward, had 11 rebounds in the first half alone - three shy of Miami's team total.<br>
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The Bearcats took control by holding Miami scoreless for the first 4 minutes of the second half. Hicks had a pair of baskets, including a rim-shaking dunk that pushed it to 43-25.<br>
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Kirkland, who had missed the last two games with a sprained ankle, pushed the lead to 21 points with a 3-pointer, then limped off for a few minutes after landing awkwardly and aggravating the injury.
