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CINCINNATI (AP) -- Troy Caupain scored 14 points despite missing all of his shots from beyond the arc, and Cincinnati overcame poor shooting to beat No. 24 SMU 61-54 on Sunday, ending the Mustangs' season.

The Bearcats (22-9, 12-6 American Athletic) held on despite shooting 29.5 percent from the field overall, including 1 of 19 from beyond the arc. They made a difference at the free throw line, going 24 of 30. Caupain made only 4 of 19 shots, missing all six from beyond the arc.

It was a final disappointment for SMU (25-5, 13-5), which is banned from postseason play because of NCAA rules violations. Players embraced on the court after the final buzzer.

Ben Moore had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Mustangs. Senior point guard Nic Moore had 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting.

The Bearcats were coming off a 69-56 loss at Houston and knew they needed some wins to make the NCAA Tournament. Their defense got this one, holding the Mustangs to a season low in points. SMU beat Cincinnati 59-57 in Dallas on Jan. 7, which was previously the Mustangs' lowest point total of the season.

Neither team could make an open shot at the outset. SMU pulled ahead 11-6 after 8 minutes despite shooting only 4 of 12 from the field. The Bearcats were worse, going 3 of 17 and missing all seven of their shots from beyond the arc.

Cincinnati was only 5 of 23 from the field when Caupain led its first run. He had a pull-up jumper and two free throws during an 8-0 spurt that put the Bearcats up 21-16. Cincinnati led 34-27 at the half, with the teams going a combined 3 of 20 from beyond the arc.

Neither team could put together a significant run at the start of the second half. Jacob Evans' driving basket gave the Bearcats the first double-digit lead of the game at 46-36.

Nic Moore tried to get the Mustangs going, making a driving layup that started a final run. Shake Milton's reverse layup cut Cincinnati's lead to 55-52 with 1:54 to go.

SMU forward Markus Kennedy got his fifth foul with 8:46 to go. Kennedy had nine points and four rebounds.

The Mustangs won 15 of their last 20 road games, going 7-4 this season.