By Julian Benbow, Globe staff

FOXBOROUGH -- The once-unranked Loyola Greyhounds men's lacrosse team spent all season marching to the national championship.

Their unheralded leading scorer Eric Lusby led the way.

Playing in the championship game for the first time since 1990, the Greyhounds polished of their best season in school history with a 9-3 win that earned them their first ever national title after being left out of the Top 20 in the preseason.

Coming off back-to-back five-goal games, Lusby, who was left off the All-America first team when it was announced yesterday, scored a game-high four goals and finished the tournament with 17, setting the record for most goals in the postseason. He broke teammate Mike Sawyer's school record for goals in a season with 54.

He was one of six different Greyhounds to find the net while Maryland, which had hung 16 goals on Duke in the semifinals, watched its offense falter in its second trip to the title game in as many years.

Loyola closed the first half with three unanswered goals from Pat Byrnes, Mike Sawyer and Phil Dobson, putting the Terrapins on the ropes.

After Kevin Cooper fired one over Jack Runkel's right shoulder to put the Terrapins up 3-2 with 10:40 left in the second quarter. The Greyhounds held the scoreless the next 40:40, easily their longest drought of the season.

By Julian Benbow, Globe Staff

FOXBOROUGH -- Drew Snider personally dug the hole for Duke and when it seemed like his Maryland Terrapins were daring the Blue Devils to climb out of it, Snider kicked them back down.

His scored a career-high four goals as the Terrapins eliminated the Blue Devils 16-9, advancing to NCAA title game for the second time in as many seasons.

Snider strung three straight scores together from the end of the second quarter the middle of the third, setting the tone for Maryland's relentless offense.

He struck first with 13.4 seconds left in the second quarter, putting Maryland up 7-4 going into the half. He tacked on two more in the third, giving him his fourth career NCAA hat rick, giving the Terps a 9-4 lead.

The Blue Devils looked like shells of themselves for nearly three quarters. Even when they started to shake out of it, with Justin Turri (two goals) and Josh Offit (one) responding to Snider's third-quarter onslaught by combining for three of their own, Maryland refused to let up.

The Terps will return to the title game after falling to Virginia last season. For coach John Tillman, who left Harvard to take the Maryland job, it's his second championship game appearance.

After matching his career-high five goals last week against Devner, Greyhounds attacker Eric Lusby matched it again with five goals in Loyola's 7-5 win over Notre Dame.

By Julian Benbow, Globe Staff

FOXBOROUGH -- A week after tying his career-high five goals last week in Loyola's 10-9 quarterfinal win over Denver, Eric Lusby hung another nickel up.

This time, though, the game wasn't nearly as much of a nail-biter.

He scored from long-range and point-blank range, making use of his viciously powerful shot but also using crafty moves to beat defenders in Loyola's 7-5 semifinal win over Notre Dame.

Loyola, the tournament's top seed despite starting the season unranked, now awaits the winner of this afternoon's matchup between Duke and Maryland. The Greyhounds reached the national championship game for the first time since 1990 when its current coach Charley Toomey was the team's goalie.

The Greyhounds jumped out to a 4-1 lead early (three of the goals came from Lusby, who pushed his season total to 50), and held on when Notre Dame made a late run.

Notre Dame came in with a reputation for it's suffocating defense (it had held an opponent scoreless for an entire quarter 15 times this season). But the Greyhounds had the Irish gasping for goals.

Goalkeeper Jack Runkel made a career-high 15 saves, the Greyhounds dominated possession in the first half (15 first-half shots) and, after Jim Mallet's goal with 7:31 left in the first quarter, the Irish went more than 26 minutes, 21 seconds without scoring in the first half.

When the Irish scored, they scored in bursts.

They finally cracked the code with 2:10 left in the second quarter when Westy Hopkins came from behind the net, spun through a double team and beat Runkle to make it 4-2.
Just six seconds later, Liam O'Connor gobbled up a faceoff and set up Nicholas Beattie who fired from the outside to close the game to one.

The quick burst seemed like it would give the Irish momentum going into the half, but at the almost last second the Greyhounds killed that. With just seconds left in the half, Josh Hawkins pushed the ball upfield. Instead of calling a timeout, coach Charley Toomey let his junior middy make a play. Hawkins's leaping shot from long range bounced past Kemp and put Loyola up 5-3 going into the break.

In the second half, Notre Dame went 24 minutes, 46 seconds without finding the net, as Loyola pushed the lead out to 7-3. But Sean Rodgers scored to end the drought, Hopkins struck again 50 seconds later, juking his defender and dumping the ball over Runkel's right shoulder.

The NCAA men's lacrosse championships will be held this weekend at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

Here are the details (events at Gillette Stadium unless noted):

Schedule
Friday: USILA All-Star Game (3-7 p.m. at Harvard Stadium); youth clinic (6:30-9 p.m); autograph sessions (6-7 p.m.)
Saturday: Fan Fest (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.); Division I semifinals: Loyola-Maryland vs. Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m.; Duke vs. Maryland, 5 p.m.
Sunday: US Lacrosse Jamboree (8-10 a.m.); Fan Fest (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.); Division II championship: Limestone vs. Dowling (1 p.m.); Division III championship: SUNY-Cortland vs Salisbury (4 p.m.)
Monday: US Lacrosse Jamboree (8-10 a.m.); Fan Fest (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.); Division I championship: semifinal winners (1 p.m.)

Tickets
Available at NCAA web site. Parking is free.

Division I Final Four
Loyola-Maryland, Notre Dame, Duke, Maryland

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff

New Hampshire native and former Massachusetts Division 1 state champion basketball player Carson Desrosiers is transferring from Wake Forest to Providence after two years with the Demon Deacons.

Desrosiers, a Central Catholic High School graduate, tweeted that he was "excited to be a new member of Friartown! Go friars."

In 21.6 minutes per game last season, Desrosiers averaged 4.8 points and 4.4 rebounds for Wake Forest.

He'll have to sit out the 2012-13 season before being able to play for the Friars.

Wake Forest was 13-18 last year.

By Craig Larson, Globe Staff

Adding to their 2012 class of recruits, the Tufts University football team will welcome Riley Roman to the program Wednesday afternoon at 3:30.

The Jumbos are hosting a a "draft day" at Ellis Oval/Zimman Field for Riley, an 8-year-old from South Hadley who was recently diagnosed with a primitive neuroectodermal brain tumor.

Patriots linebacker linebacker Rob Ninkovich, who met Riley on a hospital visit and has remained in close contact with him ever since, will be in attendance for the draft.

Riley and the Jumbos were brought together by Team IMPACT, a non-profit chartered to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses by creating unparalleled team-based support systems. Four Team IMPACT board members are Tufts alumni, including Dan Kraft, Jay Calnan, Dan Walsh (Executive Director) and Kris Herman.

Riley has been treated at Children's Hospital Boston, undergoing major brain surgery where doctors removed part of the tumor. Since then, Riley has undergone a second brain surgery and is on his second round of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Due to the intensive nature of the treatment, Riley must undergo this treatment in-patient at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and is currently living at the Ronald McDonald house with his mother.

Before being diagnosed, Riley was an avid athlete, playing on a number of different sports teams. His involvement with the Tufts football team will provide the opportunity to get back out on to the field with his new teammates, a dream come true as he continues his fight against cancer.

"We're excited to welcome Riley and his family to our football family," said Tufts head coach Jay Civetti.

"His spirit and the way he's fought against adversity are a great example for our team, and we hope he'll have a lot of fun as a Jumbo. We appreciate the opportunity to be able to partner with Team Impact and become involved in Riley's life."

Several local college teams have successfully joined with Team IMPACT, including the Tufts women's soccer team. They "drafted" Joli Talusan Vega, a 9-year-old from the South Shore who had eye cancer, as a member of the team in July 2011. She was given a uniform, sits on the team bench during games and participates in many other team activities.

Running back Montel Harris has been thrown off the Boston College football team, the school announced Tuesday.

“Montel Harris has been permanently dismissed from our football team due to a repeated violation of team rules,” coach Frank Spaziani said. “We are grateful for his contributions the past four seasons and will support him in completing his degree requirements and in his future pursuits.”

Harris, a senior who is BC's career-leading rusher with 3,735 yards, has been plagued by knee injuries the past two seasons.

Harris appeared in two games in 2011 and had 31 carries for 146 yards. He also caught three passes for 36 yards. He played in 11 games in the 2010 season.

Boston College has captured the 2012 NCAA Frozen Four championship with a 4-1 victory over upstart Ferris State.
It is BC's third title in five years.

Third period
Boston 4, Ferris State 1 - Steven Whitney has sealed the NCAA championship for BC with an empty net goal with 1:03 left.

Boston College 3, Ferris State 1 - Johnny Gaudreau beat two defenders and backhanded a shot under the crossbar past goalie Taylor Nelson to boost the Eagles' lead.

Second period
No scoring.

First period
10:33 - Boston 2, Ferris State 1 - Paul Carey has scored a power-play goal to give the Eagles their second lead of the night. Carey scored with nine seconds remaining on the man advantage.

5:19 - Boston College 1, Ferris State 1 - The Bulldogs have tied it. Center Travis Ouellette converted on a rebound of a shot by Andy Huff, beating goalie Parker Milner.

3:18 - Boston College 1, Ferris State 0 - Steven Whitney has put the Eagles on the board. Whitney got the puck in front from Barry Almeida and beat goaltender Taylor Nelson on a backhander to put BC up.

TAMPA - It's a wrap here at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Boston College (32-10-1) advanced to its fifth NCAA Frozen Four championship in seven seasons with a 6-1 victory over Minnesota (28-14-1).
BC will square off with Ferris State for the title on Saturday night here. Ferris State earned a 3-1 victory over ECAC champion Union in the first semifinal game.
The Eagles scored a goal in the opening period, courtesy of Steven Whitney, and held off a furious period by the Golden Gophers. Junior netminder Parker Milner had a stellar period, keeping his team in it.
In the second, BC made the necessary adjustments and went to work, scoring three goals - by Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider and Paul Carey - to take a 4-0 lead.
Milner lost the shutout at 1:26 of the third when Jake Hansen scored, ending a period of 193 minutes, 49 seconds of play without allowing a goal. It was the first goal BC had given up in the NCAA tournament.
Carey potted his second goal at 1:48 and defenseman Brian Dumoulin closed it out at 5:51 with a power-play tally.

Third period
5:51 - Boston College 6, Minnesota 1 - Brian Dumoulin's shot from the left point caromed foff Minnesota defenseman Justin Holl and beat Kent Patterson. All over for the Gophers.

1:48 - Boston College 5, Minnesota 1 - Paul Carey has answered for BC. Just 22 seconds after Minnesota broke the shutout, Carey took a centering pass from Johnny Gaudreau and beat Kent Patterson.

1:26 - Boston College 4, Minnesota 1 - Jake Hansen redirected a shot past goaltender Parker Milner, ending the Eagles' shutout. BC hadn't given up a goal in the NCAAs until Hansen's goal. Milner's shutout streak ended at 193 minutes, 49 seconds.

Second period
19:43 - Boston College 4, Minnesota 0 - Freshman left wing Johnny Gaudreau was being hauled down beneath the left circle but still managed to get a pass to Paul Carey in the right circle and Carey fired a shot into an open net for the four-goal lead.

17:45: Boston College 3, Minnesota 0 - Left wing Destry Straight dished a pass to right wing Chris Kreider during a two-on-one break and Kreider puts the Eagles up by three.

6:35 - Boston College 2, Minnesota 0 - The Eagles have doubled their lead with a power-play goal. With Gophers defenseman Nate Schmidt off for hooking at 6:27, BC needed just 8 seconds to convert. Kevin Hayes beat Kent Patterson from the left circle to give the Eagles a two-goal lead.

First period

6:03 - Boston College 1, Minnesota 0 - Steven Whitney has put the Eagles up, 1-0, cashing in on a give-and-go with Barry Almeida. Defenseman Brian Dumoulin made a fantastic defensive play at the other end, breaking up a two-on-one to help set the stage for the goal.

Ferris State has beaten Union, 3-1, in the first NCAA Frozen Four semifinal at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Boston College is about to drop the puck against Minnesota to see who moves on to Saturday night's championship game.

Kentucky (37-2) vs. Kansas (32-6)

Kansas has made a habit of falling behind before rallying to win. That won’t be a good strategy against Kentucky. The Jayhawks have to play their best from the beginning. They need to capitalize on their strength, getting the ball inside to Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey which could lead to some foul trouble for Kentucky.

The Jayhawks’ guards have to shoot better than they have in other tournament games. It sounds like a lot to ask. Kentucky is primed to win a national title. The well-balanced Wildcats can get winning offensive plays from any number of players. On defense, they have the best shot blocker in the nation, Anthony Davis. It’s a difficult combination to beat.

Who will win the battle for Kentucky dominance? Can Ohio State hold off the red hot Kansas Jayhawks? CineSport's Noah Coslov asks Bob Ryan of The Boston Globe for his picks in the Final Four.

A preview of Saturday’s national semifinals

Kentucky (36-2) vs. Louisville (30-9)

If Louisville wins it will be one of the great upsets in NCAA history. Maybe not quite on the level of NC State beating Houston in 1983 but big. Kentucky is the most talented team in the tournament. Anthony Davis was just named national player of the year but in the past few games I think Michael Kidd Gilchrist has been the best player. The Wildcats should win fairly easily. Louisville’s chance is to slow the pace, make every possession important. The Cardinals’ guards Peyton Siva and Russ Smith have to play great. Louisville has to rebound aggressively.

Ohio State (31-7) vs. Kansas (31-6)

Ohio State played very well in Boston, winning two tough games. The Buckeyes are well-coached, well-balanced, play good defense, hit the boards, and depth is decent. Point guard Aaron Craft will drive Kansas’ Tayshaun Taylor to distraction. Kansas can match Ohio State’s muscle with its big guys, Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey. The Jayhawks need to pound it inside. Expect Ohio State to control the pace, fight hard in the paint against Kansas’ big guys and pull out a clear decision.

By Michael Vega, Globe Staff

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. --- The stakes could not have been higher for the UMass-Lowell and Union College hockey teams in Saturday night’s NCAA East Regional final with both squads battling to make a first-time appearance in the Frozen Four.

Thirteenth-ranked UMass was unable to seize upon the opportunity, suffering a 4-2 loss to third-ranked Union (26-7-7), which earned its second consecutive NCAA tournament win as a Division 1 team at Webster Bank Arena.

It was a momentous victory that propelled the tiny ECAC school (enrollment 2,200) from Schenectady, N.Y., (pop. 62,000) to college hockey’s biggest stage: The Frozen Four in Tampa, Fla.

Riding the strong goaltending of sophomore Troy Grosenick, who made 19 saves, and the even stronger work of its defense, which limited UMass to nine first-period shots and 12 combined in the last two periods for 21 total, Union got a pair of second-period goals by Jeremy Welsh at 7:12 and Josh Jooris on the power play at 17:23 to offset UMass-Lowell’s first score of the night by freshman Terrance Wallin at 17:23.

UMass (24-13-1) pulled within 3-2 at 5:40 of the third period when Matt Ferreira poached Welsh’s clearing pass from behind the Union net and capitalized with a backhanded swat. But it proved too little too late for UMass-Lowell when Kyle Bodie scored an empty-netter with 40.6 seconds remaining.

It ended UMass' amazing turnaround from a five-win team of a year ago to an NCAA at-large entrant this season one win shy of reaching the Frozen Four.

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

The Ohio State Buckeyes came to Boston the favorites and left as winners of the NCAA Tournament's East regional after a 77-70 win over Syracuse Saturday night at TD Garden.

Playing what was essentially a road game in front of a largely pro-Syracuse crowd, the Buckeyes killed the Orange with simplicity, stringing together enough consecutive possessions of sound execution on both ends of the floor to preserve the win.

If that sounds boring, it depends on your perspective. It was a game that featured a close score throughout, questionable calls on both ends, and sometimes shot-making. But the Buckeyes never wavered on defense, even when the Orange threatened to make it their game on several big shots from the perimeter.

Ohio State started the game out well, taking a 9-2 lead with a balanced attack against the Syracuse zone. But nothing came easy for the No. 2 seed. Buckeyes sophomore All-American Jared Sullinger played just six minutes in the first half after picking up his second foul at the 13:42 mark of the half. Without Sullinger, little-used forward Amir Williams played nine minutes for the Buckeyes, grabbing four rebounds and keeping the Buckeyes in the game despite the loss of their best player.

Both teams shot poorly in the first half, combining to make just 20 of 57 field goals. Ohio State's shooting (35 percent) was more egregious than Syracuse's (36 percent), and the Buckeyes made just 1 of 7 3-pointers. Scoop Jardine led all scorers in the first half with just seven points.

The teams came out of the break tied, but Ohio State took a 38-33 lead on a 3-pointer by Lenzelle Smith Jr. with 17:32 left. It was a testament to how one made shot can seem so big when you haven't been making them.

The Buckeyes started making them as the second half wore on, and they did so by finding creative ways to get Sullinger the ball. On a the second of two consecutive buckets for Sullinger, the Buckeyes moved the ball to the wing to allow an entry pass against the zone. The ball movement was part of a 16-7 run to start the second half that gave the Buckeyes a nine-point lead.

But the Orange refused to go away and began to get hot. In another example of made baskets trumping all, a 3-pointer by Brandon Triche got the lead down to four points with 12:42 remaining. It was down to one point with 7:43 remaining, but once again the Buckeyes went to Sullinger, who scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half. When Syracuse overloaded to Sullinger's side, Lenzelle Smith Jr. simply drove to the other side and hit a floater. When that wasn't there, second-leading scorer DeShaun Thomas found his way to the bucket for two more. And Ohio State finally started to make its free throws.

Sullinger led all scorers with 19 points, while Smith Jr. chipped in 18 points for the Buckeyes. Triche had 15 points for Syracuse. Ohio State will play the winner of North Carolina and Kansas in one of the national semifinals in New Orleans next weekend.

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

Enjoyed the chat last time, so let's do it again. The chat starts at 6 p.m, an hour ahead of tonight's Syracuse-Ohio State showdown at TD Garden. Stop by for scene updates from inside the building and say hello.

By Joe Sullivan, Globe Staff

Previewing Sunday’s NCAA Tournament
South Region
Kentucky (35-2) vs. Baylor (30-7)
This has the potential to be a wild one. Kentucky and Indiana played an old-fashioned high-scoring game Friday night. Kentucky thrives in that type of game but so does Baylor. Expect lots of spectacular offense, dunks and three pointers. Defense will be optional and the team that locks down first will win. Based on Friday night’s games, Kentucky still looks like the best team in the tournament. Baylor played its first good game of the tournament giving the indication they are capable of winning this.

Midwest Region
North Carolina (32-5) vs. Kansas (30-6)
A meeting of college basketball aristocracy that unfortunately will be marred by the probable absence of North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall, who’s injured. Without him, the Tar Heels should have been eliminated by Ohio if the Bobcats had made one more free throw. Kansas’ guards should be able to take advantage of this situation plus the Jayhawks have the big guys, Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey, who can at least make things difficult for the Heels’ duo of Tyler Zeller and John Henson.

A preview of Saturday’s NCAA Tournament games.

East Region
Syracuse (34-2) vs. Ohio State (30-7)
Both teams looked powerful on Thursday night. Both teams had some bad moments, letting their opponents back in the game. Lots of things I’m looking forward to. How will Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger fare against Syracuse's zone defense? How will the Syracuse guards fare when hounded by Aaron Craft and the other tough Ohio State defenders? Will Deshaun Thomas just shoot over the Syracuse zone? Does Ohio State have the athletes to keep up with the fleet Orange? The answer is yes. It should be entertaining and close, but based on Thursday night’s performances, Ohio State looks ready to advance to the Final Four.

West Region
Louisville (26-9) vs. Florida (26-10)
It’s surprising that either of these teams is in this position. Louisville has been a revelation since the Big East Tournament started. Rick Pitino doesn’t have this team playing his usual jack-and-hack style. These Cardinals want to play a half-court game and make it a low-scoring defensive battle. The defense is anchored by 6-11 Gorgui Dieng, who has become a shot-blocking force. Overall, Florida is the more talented team The Gators are battled tested from playing and losing at Ohio State and Syracuse. They’ve had some strange losses, but are playing well now. Florida’s swift guards need to push the pace and make this a track meet.

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

Jim Boeheim must get tired of talking about his 2-3 zone.

Those familiar with Syracuse are plenty familiar with the coach's defense, but even those who know very little about Syracuse know about the zone. It's a popular topic with visiting media, and it's been that way for more than 30 seasons and close to 900 wins.

"It's always funny to me," Boeheim said this afternoon when asked about his zone defense. "I never hear anybody yelling at Mike Krzyzewski to go back and play zone. Why is that? He's such a good coach, you don't question him? Is that what that is? Really? Somebody shook their head down here. Okay, that means I'm not a good coach, so you can question me."

Boeheim was clearly perturbed at the line of questioning -- 30 years, people -- but the coach has had bigger things to worry about this season. Allegations of sexual abuse against former assistant coach Bernie Fine have clouded the team's image off the court, and the team's suspension of starting center Fab Melo two days before the NCAA Tournament hasn't helped matters. Syracuse is a No. 1 seed with just two losses in 36 games, but they've also managed to play the role of the underdog despite all that success.

"I think what goes on off the court affects me more than it does them," said Boeheim. "Some of the stuff happened 100 years ago, and some of it happened seven years ago, whenever it happened, and they're not involved in it, so it's not their concern.
The thing they had to go through was losing Fab, which was difficult, to lose your center. ... They've had a tremendous year. I don't subscribe to the theory that you have to win this or win that in the tournament to have a good year."

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

When you're a college player and LeBron James praises you on Twitter, you're probably doing something right.

James praised Ohio State guard Aaron Craft on his defense during last night's Buckeyes win over Cincinnatti, calling Craft the best college defender in the country. The tweet:

Aaron Craft best defensive perimeter and maybe all around in college ball!

— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 23, 2012

If James had gone to college he would have gone to Ohio State, so there's undoubtedly some bias there. Still, Craft is an impressive defender. Celtics fans should be reminded of Avery Bradley when they watch Craft in that both players are great at beating their opponents -- most often a ball handler -- to a spot on the floor.

"The first time I saw him and I kept watching him and watching him, I felt probably the best thing he did was moved his feet and kept guys in front of him," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said Friday during a press conference at TD Garden. "I think from the standpoint of what makes a great defender, I think intelligence and desire, and he has both of those, and then obviously some God‑given abilities. But he takes great pride in what he's doing every single possession."

-- Wisconsin made 14 3-pointers against Syracuse on Thursday (another would have won the game), but the Buckeyes said they don't plan to employ the same strategy against the Orange.

"It's not our game plan just to get some threes," said Ohio State guard William Buford. "We want to move the ball against their defense. The threes certainly count, but we do want to move it and work it inside out."

Said guard DeShaun Thomas, "Yeah, our guards are trying attack in the middle and dump it down on the baseline. It's more than just shooting threes."

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

Ohio State took care of business against sixth-seeded Cincinnati in the nightcap of a Sweet 16 doubleheader Thursday night, efficiently picking apart the Bearcats, 81-66, to set up a showdown of heavyweights Saturday for a trip to the Final Four.

While Syracuse struggled to take care of business against Wisconsin in the first game, Ohio State proved against Cincinnati that the Buckeyes might be the team to beat in this regional. Sophomores Jared Sullinger and DaShaun Thomas, ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on the team in scoring respectively, combined for 30 points in the first half. Thomas has made more than 50 percent of his career field goals, and he exceeded that mark by hitting 8 of 12 shots before halftime. Sullinger chipped in by hitting 5 of 9 shots, adding nine rebounds as the Buckeyes cleaned up on the glass and took a 37-25 lead at the break.

For their part, the scrappy Bearcats did not go quietly, mounting a charge to start the second half to pull even on a floater by Jaquon Parker with 15:07 remaining. Baskets by Cashmere Wright and Dion Dixon gave the Bearcats their first lead since early in the first half. In total Cincinnati stretched their run to 21-6, putting a scare into the region's No. 2 seed. Cincinnati started the first half hitting 11 of their first 15 shots, while Ohio State made just 6 of their first 15 attempts.

It wouldn't last. The Buckeyes settled into their game, and all of the things that make them a good team -- sticky defense, rebounding, and offensive execution -- began to pay off on the scoreboard as well. A 3-pointer by Lenzelle Smith Jr. with 7:53 left put Ohio State up five, and another three less than a minute later by Aaron Craft gave the Buckeyes some breathing room. The sum of the damage was a 17-1 run that turned a deficit into Ohio State's second and final commanding lead of the game.

Sullinger finished with 23 points, while Thomas finished with 26. Bearcats big man Yancy Gates was held to 7 points and 5 rebounds.

Ohio State will play Syracuse Saturday at TD Garden at 7:05 p.m.