DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Fall at Pitt
12/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
DePaul (7-6, 0-1 BIG EAST) struggled early offensively as Ashton Gibbs led the early run for the Panthers. Gibbs, who finished the night with a game-high 23 points, hit three buckets during the run and his three-pointer with 13:32 left gave Pittsburgh a 15-2 lead.
Pittsburgh's advantage grew as high as 16 points midway through the first half before DePaul started chipping away. Two free throws by Walker pulled the Blue Demons to within seven with 2:31 left before Pittsburgh (11-2, 1-0 BIG EAST) reeled off seven straight points to take a 39-25 advantage at intermission.
The second half saw DePaul continue to close the early deficit as a baseline jumper from Mario Stula was followed by a long-ranger from the wing by Walker to bring the Blue Demons to within five points. However, the Panthers came right back with six straight points to turn the 54-49 score into a 60-49 advantage with 3:33 left.
Stula scored a career-high 10 points while Eric Wallace led DePaul with eight rebounds.
Gibbs led all scorers with his 23 points and Jermaine Dixon added 12 for Pittsburgh.
Up next for DePaul is Georgetown on Sunday at Allstate Arena. The Hoyas enter the 1 p.m. game ranked No. 13 in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today top 25's.