For years, Cincinnati has muscled opponents in Conference USA.
The Bearcats were a far tamer team Saturday, and it cost them an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
KenKay Jones matched a career-high with 18 points and Charlotte outrebounded Cincinnati 45-29 in an 80-72 win in the Conference USA championship.
The 49ers had a 27-15 edge on the boards in the second half alone and scored 22 second-chance points to Cincinnati's four.
"We were just outmanned," Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins said. "We got blasted on the boards."
Rodney White, the nation's top-scoring freshman, added 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists for the third-seeded 49ers (21-10), who were playing in the title game for the fourth time in five years and won it for the second time.
The 49ers will play in the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in five years, but for the first time since 1999.
Cincinnati (23-9) most likely will get an at-large bid.
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