DePaul University
Northwestern
McDonald Finds Garrett for Winner in Evanston
12/28/2013 12:00:00âŻAM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Dec. 27, 2013
Postgame: Box Score 
| Photo Gallery 
| Postgame Audio | Big Ten Network Highlights
EVANSTON, Ill. - Fans watching the DePaul-Northwestern clash at Welsh-Ryan Arena Friday night got their money's worth in just the final few seconds as DePaul's final bucket of the game was the deciding factor in a 57-56 win. Billy Garrett Jr. beat the buzzer off a pass from Durrell McDonald for the Blue Demon road victory.
The two teams struggled from the field throughout the game and saved the theatrics for each side's final possession. DePaul (8-5) looked to be in control following a pair of three-point plays by Sandi Marcius. His second dunk and ensuing free throw gave the Blue Demons a 55-51 lead with 33 seconds on the clock.
Two free throws by Tre Demps pulled Northwestern (7-6) to within two points before Demps was fouled with 10 seconds to go. He missed both free shots and Drew Crawford was able to gather the second miss and found Dave Sobolewski who drained a three-pointer with 4.9 seconds left. The trifecta gave the Wildcats a one-point lead.
Coming out of a DePaul time out and the length of the floor to go. Cleveland Melvin found Durrell McDonald on a curl cut. McDonald took a dribble at the three-point line and found Garrett under the basket for the game-winning bucket that rolled around the rim and in as time expired.
DePaul led for a majority of the night and by as many as eight points midway through the second half. However, Northwestern chipped away and took a one-point lead on a Drew Crawford jumper with 2:08 left in the game. The Blue Demons regained the lead on the first of the back-to-back Marcius three-point plays.
Marcius led the Blue Demons with 12 points and Melvin added 11. Garrett finished with nine points, four assists and two blocked shots while Young chipped in six points, a team-high seven rebounds and three assists.
Demps led all scorers with 23 points and was named the Waldo Fisher-Frank McGrath MVP of the game. The award has been presented to the MVP of the DePaul-Northwestern game since Dave Corzine was the first honoree in 1974.
DePaul opens BIG EAST play on New Year's Eve as part of a 12-hour basketball marathon on FOX Sports 1. The Blue Demons and Hoyas are scheduled for a 5 p.m. ET start in the nation's capital.
Notes: DePaul is now 9-1 against Chicagoland opponents under Oliver Purnell... the 56 points allowed where the fourth-fewest for DePaul under Oliver Purnell... DePaul extended its streak to 624 straight games with a three-pointer by going 1-for-10... Cleveland Melvin moved into 21st place on the all-time rebounding list... he has 672 career rebounds... DePaul leads the series, 20-10... the win was the first for DePaul in Evanston since a 71-61 victory on Dec. 16, 1995 and snapped a four-game losing streak at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
