CINCINNATI (AP) — John Brannen’s first win at Cincinnati was no big deal. The Bearcats had a low-key celebration in the locker room after their 81-59 victory over Drake on Monday night that displayed their new up-tempo offense under their first-year head coach. “We clapped it up, that’s about it,” center Chris Vogt said. “Nothing too crazy.” It’s how Brannen wanted it after his first win in the Bearcats’ arena.

Against Drake, they made the most of a wide-open style installed by Brannen, who came from Northern Kentucky. Brannen replaced Mick Cronin , a defense-oriented coach who went to UCLA after a first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament.

Drake (1-1) relies on 3s but couldn’t find many open ones. The Bulldogs matched their school record with 17 3s during an 86-55 win over Kennesaw State, but went only 4 of 19 against Cincinnati. Liam Robbins led the Bulldogs with 12 points and seven rebounds. Drake has been one of the nation’s most prolific 3-point shooting teams the last few seasons, which was the focus of Cincinnati’s man-to-man defense. D.J. Wilkins hit an open 3 from the corner to start the game, but Cincinnati clamped down and the Bulldogs missed eight of their next nine shots from beyond the arc while falling behind by 20 points.
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Drake hosts Kansas City on Wednesday.