WASHINGTON (AP) - Otto Porter had 20 points and eight rebounds, and Georgetown beat Providence 74-65 Wednesday night.

The Hoyas (12-3, 2-2 Big East) have won eight straight over the Friars (9-8, 1-4).

Bryce Cotton, who entered the game leading Big East players with 21.6 points per game, paced Providence with 21 points.

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Markel Starks added 16 points and seven assists for Georgetown.

The Hoyas were playing their second straight game without forward Greg Whittington, who was declared academically ineligible.

``Greg will not participate in competition until further notice,' Georgetown coach John Thompson III said in a statement.

Whittington ranks second on the team in points (12.1) and rebounds (7.0) per game.

The offensive struggles that have plagued the Hoyas this season - scoring 37 against Tennessee, 46 against Towson, 48 against Marquette and 45 against Pittsburgh - scarcely appeared in the first half Wednesday. Georgetown shot 67 percent from the field (16 of 24) and 4 of 8 on 3-pointers in the opening frame.

Porter went on a personal 8-0 run early in the first half and made a floater at the buzzer to cap an 8-0 Georgetown run that gave the Hoyas a 38-19 halftime lead. That was the Hoyas' biggest halftime advantage of the season, and they're now 11-0 when leading at the break.

Providence went on a 15-2 run early in the second half as Georgetown's offense stalled, but the Friars came no closer than seven in the second half.

Porter fouled out with 1:29 left.

The Hoyas' victory opens a two-game stretch against the only two teams that took longer to win a Big East game this season. Georgetown plays Saturday at South Florida (9-6, 0-3).

After opening Big East play with losses to Marquette and Pittsburgh, the Hoyas have won two straight.

Providence has lost six of seven.