DePaul University Athletics
Mejia Pushes DePaul Past UC Irvine 65-53
12/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Box Score
Post Game Audio
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Sammy Mejia scored 13 of his game-high 15 points in the second-half as DePaul beat UC Irvine, 65-53, Wednesday night at the Allstate Arena.
Mejia also added a career-high 14 rebounds for the Blue Demons (7-5) who have now won seven consecutive home games dating back to last year.
"I know that at the beginning of every game teams are going to key out on me, so I try to not to go out there and force it from the beginning," Mejia said. "I let other guys get involved. That happened today. I just try not to force it in the beginning and let the game come to me."
Nic Campbell and Mark Kelley led UC Irvine (4-7) with 10 points apiece.
Wilson Chandler added 14 points for the Blue Demons while Draelon Burns scored all 10 of his points in the first half to key a big rally for DePaul that essentially put the game out of reach. With the Anteaters leading 20-19 at the 5:31 mark, Burns went on to score seven of DePaul’s next 12 points during a 12-0 run that pushed the lead to 32-20 and the Blue Demons never looked back.
The DePaul lead grew to as much as 20 in the second half before the final margin of victory.
DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright said he knows Burns can do good things for the team.
"I just always feel good when I have him on the bench," Wainwright said. "It's like carrying an extra battery in your car. He's got a great temperament for coming off the bench."
DePaul will return to action on Saturday when
Game Notes
DePaul has won seven straight home games in a streak dating back to last season… tonight was the first-ever meeting between the Blue Demons and UC Irvine… Sammy Mejia led DePaul with 15 points and a career-high 14 rebounds and it was his second straight double-double at home… Mejia’s one steal is the 100th of his career, joining him with Terrence Greene (1985-89) and Tom Kleinschmidt (1991-95) as the only players in DePaul history to have 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals in a Blue Demon uniform… Wilson Chandler scored 14 points and has scored in double figures in all 12 games this season.