DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Blue Demons Close This One Out in Style
12/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Dec. 17, 2011
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CHICAGO - DePaul was not about to let another big halftime lead get away.
After running out to a 20-point advantage on Saturday night, the Blue Demons maintained their initial intensity and came away with an 81-62 triumph over Arkansas-Pine Bluff at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
DePaul (8-3) has now won more games than in the entire 2010-11 season as Brandon Young led the way with 19 points, five assists and four rebounds. Jeremiah Kelly added 15 points and six assists while Cleveland Melvin finished with 13 points and three steals.
Remembering how a huge lead melted away at Loyola Chicago on Dec. 7, the Blue Demons opened the second half with a Brandon Young three-point shot and kept the pressure on the Golden Lions for the final 20 minutes.
"At halftime, we talked about the importance of the first four minutes (of the second half)," said DePaul coach Oliver Purnell. "There was a lesson learned, and we came out ready."
With former Blue Demon standouts Bobby Simmons, Will Walker and Mac Koshwal in the house, Jeremiah Kelly hit a three-pointer with less than 10 minutes to go in the second half in providing DePaul with a 70-44 lead. A Jamee Crockett steal and dunk gave the "Purnell Players" their biggest lead at 78-51.
Displaying some of their best pressure defense of this early season, the Blue Demons forced 15 turnovers in the first 20 minutes. Arkansas-Pine Bluff wound up committing 22 turnovers, and DePaul converted those miscues into 33 points.
"We learned from that," Young said about the Loyola game. "You can't do that, and we're a much better team when we actually focus and do the right things. If we let the lead slip, coach is not going to be proud of us.
"Defense is the big thing. We get after the other team, and our defense helps our offense out."
The Blue Demons went on a game-changing 22-5 run in the final 4 minutes, 56 seconds of the first half that began innocuously enough with a Worrell Clahar free throw. That ignited an 11-1 spurt that included a stretch of 10 unanswered points for the home team.
After Mitchell Anderson (14 points, 11 rebounds) scored for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, DePaul extended the run to 22-5. Moses Morgan hit a three-pointer and Kelly followed with a three-point play. Crockett had a vicious two-hand slam and followed that with a three-pointer in sending the Blue Demons to their halftime locker room with a 48-28 lead.
Savalace Townsend led Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-8) with 23 points while Daniel Broughton contributed 18 points and 11 boards.
"I thought we made some progress as a team," Purnell said. "We played better than the last couple of games---particularly on the backboards. We kept them off the offensive glass and did a good job guarding the driver."
Crockett scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting that included 2-for-2 from beyond the three-point arc. Donnavan Kirk, the 6-foot, 9-inch transfer from Miami, came through with six points and six rebounds in his first extended playing time of the season.
"Donnavan is a big addition," Young said. "He gets down there and bangs. He is a strong guy. His rebounding really helps us out a lot. We're going to need him this year."
Purnell is pleased with Crockett's progress.
"The thing you forget about Jamee Crockett is that two days before the season began, he wasn't even playing," Purnell said about a health issue that slowed down the 6-4 freshman. "He continues to show signs that he can be a very, very good player.
"It was good to see Donnavan---the bounce is back in his stride and jumping. Hopefully we can get him to full speed after Christmas."
Purnell will have his team back at full speed on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. game against Cal Poly at Allstate Arena.
