No. 25 Cincinnati stayed unbeaten with a 66-46 victory over crosstown rival Xavier Thursday on the Bearcats' home court.

The two schools are only four miles apart in Cincinnati. But location was the only thing close about the 78th edition of the rivalry known as the Crosstown Shootout. Cincinnati led by eight at halftime and opened up a double-digit lead early in the second half. The Musketeers never threatened down the stretch.

The Bearcats (15-0, 2-0 Big East) ended a three-game losing streak to Xavier (8-5, 0-0 Atlantic 10), thanks to a big night from Yancy Gates and a sub-par performance from Musketeers star Tu Holloway.

Gates finished with a season-high 22 points and also led the Bearcats with 14 rebounds.

Holloway entered the game averaging 21.3 points, but struggled through a frustrating night. He finished with just five points, the first time this season he's been held under double figures. He also had four turnovers and was called for a technical foul.

Jamel McLean led the Musketeers with 18 points.

The Bearcats head back into conference play as one of seven unbeaten teams, starting with Sunday's tester at No. 7 Villanova.

Xavier (8-.5), which is banged up and has only nine available scholarship players, opens up Atlantic-10 play Sunday at Rhode Island.