By Colleen Kane
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati center Robert Whaley saw a little more of the court time he's been looking for Wednesday night against East Carolina, but it wasn't quite how he'd have liked it.

In the absence of sophomore forward Eric Hicks, who didn't play in the Bearcats' home win because of illness, Whaley played 20 minutes, the most he has seen since playing 20 minutes against Miami on Dec. 27. The junior played just two minutes in UC's lopsided win at Southern Miss Saturday.

"He was really good in practice," UC coach Bob Huggins said. "I wish he would play in a game just once the way he played in practice yesterday. Rob's made some strides, but the key is not to take steps backward."

Whaley struggled from the field, hitting just two of 10 baskets, his one basket a crowd-rallying, one-handed dunk late in the first half. But he did manage to sink six of nine free throws for 10 points and pull down a career-high seven rebounds.

"I think things are starting to click, but if that's an improvement. ..." Whaley said. "I still think I've got to work."

Huggins said Hicks has an infection that kept him out of practice Tuesday. Huggins said Hicks could have played, but Huggins didn't want to risk it.

BIG LOWS: The Bearcats gave the Pirates two of their biggest deficits of the season Wednesday night. UC's 43-25 lead heading into the locker room eclipsed the Pirates' previous halftime deficit of 16. UC held East Carolina to just 27 percent field goal shooting, and 17 percent 3-point shooting in the first half. The Pirates missed their first nine 3-pointers of the game before Frank Robinson ended the drought with 2:55 to play in half.

The Bearcats also gave the Pirates their biggest deficit this season, when UC went ahead 72-42 midway through the second half. The biggest deficit ECU has overcome this season is seven points.