DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
George Washington
DePaul Dunks No. 20 George Washington 82-61
12/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Box Score: DePaul 82, George Washington 61
ROSEMONT, Ill. - Knocking off the No. 20 college basketball team in the country would require DePaul to come up with its most outstanding performance of the season.
And in the true holiday spirit, what better gift for the Blue Demons to present their coach than a resounding 82-61 victory over George Washington Tuesday night before an enthusiastic Allstate Arena crowd.
Merry Christmas, Dave Leitao.
Leading the way for DePaul was Billy Garrett Jr. with 20 points and seven assists. Eli Cain had 16 points and five rebounds while Aaron Simpson came through with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Myke Henry finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and the highlight dunk of the season so far and Rashaun Stimage contributed nine points and seven rebounds.
"It feels good to beat a nationally ranked team," said Garrett about DePaul's first win over a Top 25 program at home for the first time since Jan. 3, 2008 when the Blue Demons topped No. 17/16 Villanova 84-76. "But I'm not surprised because we have a team that can play like this when we put it all together."
DePaul (6-6) avoided any lulls or dry spells by moving the ball on offense and remaining resolute on defense. The longest run George Washington (10-2) had was 7-0 at the end of the first half after the Colonials had fallen behind by 19 points.
"Coming out of the gate on defense and really locking in got us off to a great start," Leitao said. "Aaron and Eli hit a couple of threes to get us the early lead. I thought we stayed solid over the course of 40 minutes, believed in each other and made many more winning plays.
"I was worried at halftime George Washington would counterpunch and that we had to be ready when they made their run. Our defense continued to force them to make the next play and we stayed in front of them. There were no easy driving lanes and we rebounded the ball."
Cain scored two quick baskets, Simpson a pair of free throws and Garrett added four points as DePaul opened the second half on a 10-4 run extending a 12-point halftime lead to 51-33.
An Erten Gazi put-back followed by Garrett's soft runner gave the Blue Demons their biggest lead to that point at 58-38 midway through the second half. The DePaul defense remained steadfast as George Washington was converting just 32 percent of its shots and finished the game at 33.3 percent. The visiting team was 3-of-21 from three-point range.
"George Washington is a very good team, and it was a humiliating experience when they beat us at their place last year," Simpson said. "It felt good to get some revenge. We did a great job escalating our defense, and this is what can happen when we stay together and play as a team."
The Colonials were within 62-47 when Garrett scored on a drive and Henry followed with 14-foot jumper in pushing the lead back to 19 points with less than eight minutes on the clock.
DePaul came out with its best sequence of the season, racing to a 10-0 lead from the opening tip. Garrett hit the first shot of the game and Cain followed with a three-pointer after Rashaun Stimage tipped back a missed shot.
Simpson kept it going with another long-distance connection, and Garrett hit a soft baseline shot. The Blue Demons enjoyed their fastest start of 2015 and led 14-5 at the first media timeout.
George Washington came within 14-7 when DePaul took off on a 10-4 spurt capped off by a Tommy Hamilton IV three-pointer and a Simpson layup between two defenders. With more than 11 minutes left in the first half, the Blue Demons led 24-11 and were shooting a scalding 82 percent from the floor (9-of-11). They were 67 percent from three-point range.
"We had no energy at the beginning, and they kept us from making any runs the whole game," said George Washington coach Mike Lonergan. "They kept making shots deep into the shot clock, made a lot of hustle plays and killed us on the glass (37-26 rebounding margin). Give Garrett credit---he dominated the game."
Another Simpson three and a Stimage put-back provided a 31-15 lead.
Then came one of the best plays of the season. Henry gathered up a loose ball in the corner and drove strong to the hoop. Challenged by a Colonial big man, Henry slammed it over him, drew a foul and brought the house down. Henry was assessed a technical foul on the play. After a GW free throw, Henry completed the three-point play and the margin was 34-16.
"Oh my God, it was sensational," Simpson said with a big grin.
"It was nice," Garrett said. "He got excited on that play. You've got to play this game with a passion."
George Washington was within 34-20 when Garrett scored on back-to-back trips down the floor and Cain swished a three-pointer. Kevin Larsen (17 points, 11 rebounds) scored down low for the Colonials who finished the first half on a 7-0 run as DePaul led 41-29 at the break.
"When you don't play well before a holiday, it ruins the mood," Leitao said.
Following a Christmas break, DePaul returns to Allstate Arena on Dec. 30 for an 8 p.m. BIG EAST opener against Georgetown.
After his team's best performance of the season, Leitao was asked if he wishes they could play again in two days.
Leitao had the perfect response: "I wish I had three days to spend with my family, and that's exactly what I'm going to do."
Postgame Notes: Tuesday's win was No. 1,425 for the program since the start of the 1923-24 season... that season is the first fully recognized season of DePaul basketball... the Blue Demons played games prior to the 1923-24 campaign, but records are incomplete... Tommy Hamilton's first made three pointer in the first half was the 50th of his career... The GWU game was the third game this year where Tommy Hamilton made multiple three-point shots, Blue Demons are 3-0 in those games... Eli Cain hit the 100-point mark for the season when he scored the first DePaul basket in the second half... With the victory, head coach Dave Leitao is 40-11 (.784) in Rosemont... George Washington was DePaul's first ranked opponent this season... a year ago, the Blue Demons went 1-4 against top 25 opponents... the Blue Demons recorded a 64-60 win at Seton Hall while dropping two games each to Butler and Villanova... DePaul's last home win over a ranked opponent was Jan. 3, 2008 with an 84-76 win against No. 17/16 Villanova at Allstate Arena... the series with George Washington is tied 3-3.
