Red-shirt freshman Sean Kilpatrick hit three 3-pointers en route to a game-high 21 points in his collegiate debut and Cincinnati held off a visiting Mount St. Mary’s rally Monday in a 69-59 season-opening win.

Yancy Gates had 15 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out for the Bearcats, who won despite shooting just 38.6 percent from the floor while holding a 38-33 rebounding margin against smaller Mount St. Mary's.

Cincinnati connected on 4-of-9 shots from the arc in the first half and took a 40-21lead into the half. But Mount St. Mary’s (0-2) chipped away at the lead, climbing within four in the final minute, but UC made 12 free throws in the final two minutes to hold the Mountaineers at bay.

Shawn Atupem had 14 points and seven rebounds for Mount St. Mary’s, which shot 41.8 percent from the floor.