DePaul University
Pittsburgh
DePaul Can't Match Up with No. 5/4 Pittsburgh
1/22/2011 12:00:00âŻAM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Jan. 22, 2011
Bluetube - Postgame Interview
Box Score 
| Postgame Notes | Photo Gallery 
ROSEMONT, Ill. - There was a burst in the second half Saturday that gave DePaul partisans a reason for hope.
But then Pittsburgh demonstrated why it's ranked No. 4 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll by remaining composed and eventually pulling away to an 80-50 victory at Allstate Arena.
Back-to-back three-pointers by Jeremiah Kelly and Mike Stovall followed by a Stovall layup off a steal and assist from Mike Bizoukas brought DePaul within 42-35 with 13 minutes, 29 seconds left in the game.
The Panthers responded with a 10-3 burst for a 52-38 lead midway through the second half. Ashton Gibbs hit consecutive threes to put Pitt up 61-40 with 7:10 go.
"We battled to stay within striking distance," said DePaul coach Oliver Purnell after the Blue Demons had fallen to 6-13, 0-7 in the BIG EAST Conference. "But then we took bad shots, committed turnovers and missed defensive assignments.
"Pittsburgh is a great team, so deep and so physical. They've got a number of guys who can take over a game at stretches, particularly their perimeter players."
Pittsburgh (19-1, 7-0) won its ninth-straight behind Gilbert Brown's 17 points and 13 from Ashton Gibbs. The Panthers' 6-foot, 11-inch center Gary McGhee came away with 15 rebounds.
Cleveland Melvin led the Blue Demons with 11 points, the eighth-straight game he has been DePaul's top scorer.
"Pittsburgh did an outstanding job of banging him," Purnell said. "They kept him squared up and would not give him a path to the basket. "He is a young guy who has to gain some strength. Cleveland helped them by standing on the blocks. He has to move and use his quickness."
Melvin, who continues to be a bright spot for the Blue Demons, captured the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week award for the third time in the last four weeks. Coming into Saturday, the 6-foot, 8-inch freshman was averaging 22.7 points per game in conference play---third in the BIG EAST. Overall, he was averaging 14.5 points.
"His numbers are amazing," said Pitt coach Jamie Dixon. "He is a big-time recruit for them who just keeps getting better and better.
"We were able to keep some size and quickness on him and not let him beat us off the drive. We didn't give him many offensive rebounds. He has a great knack of coming up with loose balls and putting them in quickly.
"He is a great guy to build around, and is going to be a big scorer in the BIG EAST."
Much of DePaul's success is predicated on the Purnell press. His team came into Saturday ranked 14th in the nation in turnover margin.
But the Panthers maintained their poise Saturday and only committed 11 turnovers. DePaul wound up with 14.
Pittsburgh seized control of the game midway through the first half after going on a 17-4 run. The Panthers closed out the first half on a 7-0 spurt for a 38-23 halftime lead.
When Gilbert Brown opened the second half with a three-pointer, Pittsburgh extended its lead to 41-23. DePaul could not come any closer than seven in the second half. Krys Faber and Tony Freeland each scored eight points for the Blue Demons.
DePaul returns to action on Thursday with a BIG EAST matchup at USF.
