Ohio State 81, Cincinnati 66: Deshaun Thomas scored 20 of his 26 points in the first half and Aaron Craft’s defense sparked a game-changing 17-1 run as the Buckeyes topped the in-state rival Bearcats in the East regional semifinals.

Ohio State (30-7) finally got over the hump after losing in the Sweet 16 each of the last two seasons. The second-seeded Buckeyes advance to face top-seeded Syracuse in the regional final on Saturday.

Jared Sullinger had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Craft, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, had six steals for the Buckeyes. In just the second meeting in 50 years, Ohio State harassed the normally-sure-handed Bearcats (26-11) into 18 turnovers.

The Buckeyes let a 12-point halftime lead slip away, as Cincinnati went on a 21-6 run to start the second half, but Craft had three steals and a 3-pointer during a 17-1 spurt that turned a four-point deficit into a 12-point lead.

Ohio State dominated the first half. Thomas, who has turned this tournament into his coming out party, was 8-of-12 from the field and the Buckeyes coasted to a 37-25 lead. The Bearcats, however, roared out of the locker room and hit 11 of their first 14 shots to take a 52-48 before Craft and the Buckeyes regained control.

Cashmere Wright scored 18 points and Sean Kilpatrick added 15 for sixth-seeded Cincinnati, which was seeking its first Elite Eight appearance since 1996.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin flung his suit jacket in disgust after Thomas’ 3-pointer gave the Buckeyes a 33-22 advantage late in the first half. … This was the first meeting since 2006. Prior to that, the schools hadn’t played since Cincinnati won back-to-back national titles over Ohio State in 1961-62.