The usual suspect lifts Hoyas

When Georgetown found itself in an unexpected moment of crisis against a team it had defeated by a combined 42 points in two previous games this season, the Hoyas knew exactly whom to call on: the guy with three names who’s a dead ringer for Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

D’Vauntes SmithRivera played the familiar role as Hoyas’ hero in Georgetown’s 6055 win over Creighton in Thursday night’s Big East quarterfinal at Madison Square Garden, leading all scorers with 25 points, including 12 of his team’s last 14 points, in the game’s final 4:47.

“When we need baskets, everyone knows who we’re going to,’’ Georgetown coach John Thompson III said. “It’s usually him. He answered.’’

The Hoyas (219, 126) entered the game knowing a domination of Creighton (1419, 414) was possible, if not expected, having beaten the Bluejays by 15 and 27 points in the teams’ two regularseason meetings.

But Creighton did not get the memo. It had a 5145 lead with 5:55 remaining in the game.

“They played with a purpose,’’ Thompson said, “and their execution was at a high level.’’

No one executed better for No. 10 seed Creighton than its junior guard James Milliken, who scored 11 of his team’s 25 firsthalf points and had 17 less than four minutes into the second half.

But a fourpoint play from Milliken to tie the game at 33 with 16:25 remaining was the last time he would score.

“They did a pretty good job denying me,’’ Milliken said. “I felt like they adjusted pretty good in the second half.’’

Thompson switched to a zone, which helped slow Milliken down.

“They were getting too many easy looks against our mantoman, and they were putting us in difficult situations,’’ Thompson said.

One of the biggest baskets in the game for Georgetown was a 3pointer by SmithRivera that cut Creighton’s gamehigh fivepoint lead to 5149 with 4:47 remaining.

“They were on a run … and the guys were looking for me to make something happen,’’ SmithRivera said.