DePaul University Athletics
Hot Start Sends DePaul Past Lewis in Exhibition Opener
11/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO DePaul’s Dar Tucker scored 25 points and had five rebounds as the Blue Demons stopped Lewis, 66-53, in the exhibition opener on Friday at McGrath Arena.
“I am happy with the team tonight,” DePaul head coach Jerry Wainwright said. “I thought we were loose and played hard. There are some things we have to look at the tape and work to correct, but that is why you play these games.
“Dar had the performance he had tonight because he put together the best week of practice since he’s been at DePaul leading up to tonight,” Wainwright added. “He (Tucker) has been really focused with tremendous energy and it showed tonight. Now Dar needs to keep building on this effort because with the numbers he put up tonight, he will be a marked man in the coming games.”
DePaul roared out of the gates, scoring 26 of the game’s first 31 points, 11 of those by Tucker, and the Blue Demons opened a 26-5 lead in the first 11:21 of the contest. The first half stayed all DePaul as the advantage fluctuated between 17 and 21 points. The Blue Demons cruised to a 42-21 lead at intermission and Tucker finished the first half with 14 points.
Like they did in the first half, the Blue Demons came out strong to open the second stanza and increased the advantage to 24 points (45-21) which would be their biggest lead of the game. The Flyers fought back and cut the lead to 11 at 54-43 with 10:23 to play but after a technical on the Lewis bench, Will Walker hit one of two free throws and Tucker drilled a tray in the ensuing possession to end the threat and seal the victory as the Flyers would get no closer than 14 the rest of the evening.
Along with Tucker, senior Jabari Currie finished with 12 points, eight coming in the second period. Sophomore Mac Koshwal grabbed a game-high eight rebounds for the Blue Demons which held Lewis to under 40-percent shooting from the field (.393).
The Flyers were led by Jason Genova’s 15 points while Brandon Dagans added 13.
DePaul will open the 2008-09 season on November 17 when Albany comes to McGrath Arena for a 7:30 p.m. contest. The game will be broadcast on WSCR (670 AM) in Chicago.