DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Cincinnati
Almost How They Drew It Up
2/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Feb. 8, 2011
Bluetube - Highlights | Postgame Interview
ROSEMONT, Ill. - All that was needed to cap off a furious comeback was Jimmy Drew's last-fraction-of-a-second shot to find the bottom of the net.
But even the not-so-happy ending couldn't take any luster off a spirited never-say-die effort in DePaul's 71-68 BIG EAST Conference loss to Cincinnati Tuesday night at Allstate Arena.
Falling behind by 17 points early in the second half, the Blue Demons fought back so gallantly that a boisterous partisan crowd along with an ESPN2 television audience couldn't take their eyes off a compelling finish.
Down by three, the Blue Demons spread their best shooters around the three-point arc.
"We had three options," said DePaul coach Oliver Purnell. "We had our bigs, Jimmy and Cleve (Cleveland Melvin) in the corners. We told Brandon Young to survey the scene (with the inbounds pass). If they switched on defense, one of the bigs might be open."
Drew set a screen, then slipped into an opening near the corner in front of the Blue Demon bench.
"It was just a bang-bang play," Drew said. "I was more concerned with getting the shot off in time.
"It felt good, and I really thought it was going in."
Purnell had the same reaction.
"It looked like it was good," he said with a shake of his head.
Melvin, who led DePaul with 20 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks, converted a three-point play to bring his team within 53-44 with 13:33 left in game.
A Tony Freeland shot inside, a Jeremiah Kelly scoop shot and Moses Morgan's four-point play launched an 8-1 Blue Demon run that narrowed the gap to 69-65 with 1:33 showing on the clock.
The Bearcats, who were led by Sean Kilpatrick's 19 points and 16 from Ibrahima Thomas, made just two of five free throws in the final 32 seconds to give DePaul hope.
Young, who finished with 16 points and five assists, buried a three-pointer with :00.4 left, and it was 71-68.
When Cincinnati (19-5, 6-5 in the BIG EAST) threw away a court-length pass that never touched anyone and didn't use up any clock, DePaul and Drew had their final chance.
"In the second half, we took the fight to them," Purnell said. "We controlled the tempo and the pace. Our offense was very good. We spread the floor, set back screens and attacked the basket.
"We fixed something on our press, and the back pressure affected them. Our guys kept on playing hard, and they (Bearcats) were getting tired."
This close call followed up a narrow 61-57 loss last Saturday at Louisville as the Blue Demons fell to 6-17 overall and 0-11 in conference.
"It's definitely tough when you lose by four and three points in games you think you should have won," Drew said. "But you can also look on this as a positive and something to build on."
Blue Demon Nation caught a glimpse of the future Tuesday night, and it looked bright.
The freshmen trio of Melvin, Young and Moses Morgan (13 points) combined for 49 of the team's 68 points. Throw in sophomore Tony Freeland's eight points and that aggregate balloons to 57 of 68.
"The freshmen are getting good experience, and they're all playing better than in the beginning," Purnell said. "Moses is sensing when his shot is coming and has given us a physical presence.
"He has improved tremendously over the last three-to-four weeks."
How did the Blue Demons remain believers even after they had fallen 17 points behind in the second half?
"Since coach (Purnell) got here, he has told us that being 17 points up or17 points down is because of our style of play," Drew said. "Nothing is insurmountable, and it comes from wearing the other team down."
The Blue Demons are hoping the next close call finds them on top when they face No. 25 West Virginia Saturday afternoon in Morgantown.
