DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Chicago State
Blue Demons Celebrate 500th Allstate Game with Win
12/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Allstate Arena season opener on Saturday gave DePaul a chance to unveil a renovated basketball style under the guidance of returning coach Dave Leitao.
Led by Eli Cain's season-high 20 points and Billy Garrett Jr.'s 16 points, six rebounds and three assists, the Blue Demons made sure it was a happy Rosemont homecoming for their coach with a 96-72 triumph over Chicago State---their third victory in a row.
Six double-figure scorers also included Tommy Hamilton IV with 13 points and seven rebounds, Myke Henry with 13 points, Aaron Simpson's 11 points and four assists and R.J. Curington's season-high 10 points along with five boards. DePaul improved to 4-3 on the season while the Cougars fell to 3-6.
This was Leitao's first game at Allstate Arena since March 5, 2005. It coincided with the 500th game at the facility that was formerly called the Rosemont Horizon. Leitao coached the Blue Demons from 2002 to 2005 and them to an NCAA tournament appearances and a pair of berths in the NIT.
"We played back on our heels in the beginning and came out lethargic as I was afraid we would," Leitao said. "We made some substitutions that brought us some energy. The guys started executing the game plan like they should.
"In the second half, we tightened up on both ends of the floor. We were around the ball more and did a better job of challenging shots from an aggressive Chicago State offense.
"Our offense was pretty good, and we got a lot of assists (20). When you share the ball, it results in high- percentage shots."
DePaul extended an 11-point halftime lead early in the second half courtesy of a Cain three-pointer and a pair of Hamilton free throws. Another Cain basket made it 56-43.
"My teammates kept finding me with the ball and helped me get open for the three," Cain said. "Chicago State was leaving me open outside shot I took the shots.
"Coach Leitao was getting on me in the first half because I had way too many turnovers (five) and I have to rebound better. He stayed on me and I like to think it's making me coach-tough."
The Blue Demons went up by 16 on an Erten Gazi score. The Cougars closed to 62-50 in the middle of the second half after a Jawad Adekoya basket. Back came Curington with a corner three and a 65-50 advantage.
Curington was in the midst of his best outing of the young season. His corner three off a transition assist from Garrett put his team in front 75-55 with eight minutes to go. Curington buried a three and followed with a rebound layup. Garrett's jumper made it 79-59.
"R.J. has been practicing well and he brought the energy today," Leitao said. "When he sprinted to the corner and hit the three---that was a great teachable moment. Playing like that gets rewarded with more playing time."
Chicago State went on an early 9-0 run in moving ahead 13-5. DePaul responded with a 9-3 burst to close within 16-14 on Erten Gazi's first three-pointer of the season.
Simpson's basket and three-point shot sparked a 10-3 surge to give the Blue Demons a 24-23 lead on a Hamilton three-pointer. DePaul opened the game going 11-for-11 from the free throw line.
It was tied at 27 when Simpson hit a foul shot, Gazi followed with driving layup and Henry converted two foul shots for a five-point margin. Garrett stole the ball in the next possession and coasted in for two more.
Leitao's steadfast emphasis on defense and rebounding began paying dividends as the Blue Demons outscored Chicago State 15-6 in the latter stages of the first half for a 42-33 lead on a Simpson three. After a Cougar score, Cain and Simpson hit back-to-back shots and Hamilton converted a three-point play for a 49-35 lead.
"We didn't start out very well, but we stayed with it," Garrett said. "We came out in the second half and held them to 34 points. We began playing better defense, and that's what we're going to make that our identity this season."
Chicago State scored the last three points of the first half as DePaul went into the locker room with a 49-38 advantage. The Blue Demons shot 50 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes including 6-of-13 from three-point range. They finished shooting 54.4 percent and 55 percent (11-of-20) from beyond the arc.
Next up, DePaul heads to Des Moines, Iowa for a 7 p.m. game Wednesday at Drake.
GAME NOTES
The game was No. 500 for DePaul at Allstate Arena... the Blue Demons are 333-167 all-time in the facility... head coach Dave Leitao is now 39-10 all-time in Rosemont leading the Blue Demons... DePaul put six players in double-figures for the first time since Nov. 11, 2001 against UT-Pan American (now UT-Rio Grande Valley)... over the last five-plus seasons, the Blue Demons are 15-1 against Chicagoland opponents (2-0 this season)... Billy Garrett Jr. moved into 11th place on DePaul's all-time free throw list... Garrett also recorded his 50th career game in double-figures... DePaul has won all 14 meetings with Chicago State... the Blue Demons are 20-1 all-time against the current membership of the Western Athletic Conference.
