Feb 25, 2003

Box Score

WASHINGTON (AP) - Mike Sweetney scored 15 of his 20 points in the second half to lead Georgetown to a 71-56 win over Providence Tuesday night.

Sweetney scored seven for the Hoyas (13-11, 5-8 Big East) during a 14-2 run to open the second half.

Tuesday's win, combined with the loss by Rutgers, was an important one for Georgetown's Big East tournament hopes. The Hoyas started the night just one game ahead of the last-place Scarlet Knights in the conference's West Division.

The last place team in each division does not make the Big East tournament.

Ryan Gomes scored 21 points to lead Providence (13-12, 6-8), which had won three straight. However, the Friars have won just twice on the road all season.

Providence, which turned the ball over 25 times, pulled within five with 5:26 to play. But the Hoyas, who have let leads slip away all season, put this one away with a 6-0 run that put them ahead 60-49 with 3:54 to play.

Gerogetown has now won consecutive games for the first time since December wins over Norfolk State and Howard.

The Hoyas led 33-32 at halftime, but let the Friars stay close despite committing 14 first-half turnovers. Gomes scored 11 in the first half for Providence, including a layup in the last 10 seconds that brought the Friars within one.