Cincinnati NCAA hopes are very safe after the first win of the school in one of the top 25 teams in seven years, while Georgetown's immediate future is suddenly very clear, due to a broken hand Chris Wright.
Yancy Gates scored 17 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday night, and the Bearcats held at Georgetown four field goals in the second half in a 58-46 victory over No. 11 Hoya.
The victory ended the Cincinnati road streak of 20 games against ranked teams, his last win coming against then-No. Marquette 21, January 14, 2004.
He also opted Bearcats (22-6, 9-6) tied for seventh place Big East that would be good enough for a first round bye in the conference tournament and give another boost to the school aims to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five seasons Mick Cronin as coach. A loss would have dropped to 11 conference.
"This win really helps our cause," said Gates.
Dion Dixon also scored 17 points, Rashad Bishop had 12, and the Bearcats played more zone than usual to stifle the Hoyas. Georgetown shot 25 percent from the field, its worst shooting game at least since the 1996-97 season.
