Vaughn’s free throws, defense leads Cincinnati over Louisville 69-66 in Big East tournament

Vaughn leads Cincy over Louisville in Big East

NEW YORK — Deonta Vaughn made two free throws with 5.9 seconds left then made the game-saving strip just before the buzzer and Cincinnati beat Louisville 69-66 on Wednesday night in the second round of the Big East tournament.

The 11th-seeded Bearcats (18-14), who had never won a game in the tournament until Tuesday’s opening-round win over Rutgers, advanced to the quarterfinals against third-seeded and seventh-ranked West Virginia.

Edgar Sosa had 28 points for the defending champion Cardinals (20-12), but he was stripped by Vaughn as he was headed toward a possible game-tying 3-point attempt.

Yancy Gates had 16 points for Cincinnati, which finished with a 54-33 rebound advantage, including 28-9 on the offensive end. Vaughn had 10 points

Reginald Delk hit a 3 with 9.7 seconds left to bring Louisville within 67-66 before Vaughn’s free throws made it a three-point game.