Yancy Gates leads Cincinnati’s early run in 67-58 win over No. 24 Vanderbilt

Gates leads Cincinnati over No. 24 Vanderbilt

LAHAINA, Hawaii — Yancy Gates scored 12 points in an 18-2 first-half run that set the tone for Cincinnati’s 67-58 victory over No. 24 Vanderbilt on Monday in the first round of the EA Sports Maui Invitational.

Ranked for the first time since March 17, 2008, the Commodores (2-1) didn’t come out like a team that broke into the Top 25 earlier Monday.

Behind Gates, the Bearcats (3-0) broke from a 4-4 tie to take a 22-6 lead midway through the first half. Gates finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while reserve Dion Dixon added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Jarmaine Beal had 16 points for Vanderbilt, which was 14 of 51 (27.5 percent) from the field.

The Bearcats outrebounded the Commodores 53-32.