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Wright lifts Cincinnati past Georgetown

Mar 9, 2012 - 1:43 AM New York, NY (Sports Network) - Cashmere Wright's bucket with just over seven seconds left in double overtime was the difference as Cincinnati outlasted No. 13 Georgetown, 72-70, in Big East quarterfinal action.

Yancy Gates led all scorers with 23 points for the Bearcats (23-8), who advance to face top-seeded Syracuse in a Friday semifinal. Dion Dixon totaled 13 points and eight boards, Sean Kilpatrick had 12 points and Wright added 10 with four assists.

"As a coach, you talk about developing an inner toughness and not letting your offense affect your defense," said Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin. "Today was a great example of the character of our team. So I couldn't be more proud of these guys right now."

Henry Sims' basket sent the game to a second OT, two of his team-best 22 points for the Hoyas (23-9), who topped Pitt on Wednesday to open their tourney slate. Sims also pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds.

Otto Porter's shot helped Georgetown play beyond regulation, and he finished with 14 points and seven boards. Jason Clark contributed 12 points in a valiant, but losing cause.

As time wound down in regulation, Dixon hit 1-of-2 from the line for a 54-52 margin. After patiently waiting for an open chance at the other end, Sims found Porter who connected on a short jumper with 3.6 seconds left to force overtime.

In the same situation nearing the end of the first overtime, Dixon again hit 1-of-2 at the line for a 62-60 Cincy edge, but a layup from Sims just ahead of the buzzer sent the game to a second extra session.

"He has improved. He's made a natural progression each year, and you see this year the fruits of a lot of hard work that he put in starting this summer and rededicating himself to being a good basketball player," Hoyas head coach John Thompson III said in praise of Sims.

Neither team led by more than two in double OT. Gates connected inside a minute left to give Cincinnati a two-point edge, but Sims responded on the ensuing possession. Wright then powered his way to the basket and hit the net with 7.6 ticks left.

"I mean, it was all set by Yancy," Wright said of his winning shot. "They were respecting me so much, like when he ducked in, seemed like the whole team just sucked into him, so the hole just opened up wide open, and I just took it upon myself to try to win the game for my team."

Sims' potential game-winner from the top of the key hit the back of the rim as time expired.

A 13-6 run keyed by four points each from Sims, Porter and Clark snapped a tie and left the Hoyas up 30-23 inside of a minute remaining in the first half, and it was a six-point margin for Georgetown, 30-24, at the break.

Gates ripped off 10 points in a row and helped Cincinnati reverse a seven- point deficit and turn it into a 53-52 edge with 35.6 seconds to go in regulation.

Game Notes

Cincinnati took a slight 6-5 edge in the all-time series...Wright added a game-high five steals...The Bearcats won despite connecting on just under 39 percent of their shots (28-of-72), while the Hoyas finished at 48.4 percent efficiency (30-of-62).