DePaul University Athletics
Mississippi State Tops DePaul in Tampa
12/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
TAMPA, Fla. - Eric Wallace scored 15 second-half points and Will Walker added a dozen, but cold shooting throughout the game hampered DePaul in a 76-45 loss to Mississippi State in the SEC/BIG EAST Invitational at the St. Pete Times Forum. The Blue Demons combined to shoot just .179 in the first half and fell behind 35-15 at intermission.
Mississippi State (6-2) led by as many as 31 points midway through the second half behind five players in double-figures. The Bulldogs' first nine field goals were from behind the arc and they finished the game by going 12-of-29 from three-point range.
As hot as Mississippi State was from behind the arc, DePaul (5-3) was cold. The Blue Demons combined to shoot 5-of-18 from three-point range and finished the game with a .281 team field goal percentage.
Wallace scored all 15 of his points in the second half and added a team-high eight rebounds and three steals. Walker added 12 points and four rebounds while Devin Hill finished the evening with seven points and four boards.
Jarvis Varnado led the Bulldogs with a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double. Ravern Johnson led the team with 14 points that included four three-pointers while Romero Osby added 13 points.
DePaul returns to Allstate Arena for a three-game homestand that starts with UIC visiting Rosemont on Sunday evening. The Blue Demons and Flames tip off at 5 p.m.